In the latest turn of events, the National Commission for Women (NCW) said on Thursday that one of the woman complainants in the sex video scandal case involving JDS MP Prajwal Revanna in Karnataka has claimed that she was forced to lodge a false complaint after being threatened with harassment.
The woman reportedly claimed that she was forced by a group of people claiming to be cops to lodge a fake complaint.
In a press release, the NCW stated that the woman sought protection for herself and family as the three individuals, who claimed to be police, were issuing dire threats and calling her on mobile from different numbers, according to a Times of India (TOI) report.
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“One woman approached the commission to register a complaint against three individuals, dressed in civilian clothes, allegedly introduced themselves as Karnataka police and forced her to file a false complaint in this case. She stated that she was getting calls from random phone numbers, threatening to file a complaint. It has come to light that this complainant was forced by a group of individuals to file the complaint, under the threat of potential harassment and false implications,” the press release stated.
Taking a cue from the NCW’s release, former Chief Minister and JDS state President HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday night accused the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the case, of threatening the victims with prostitution to extract false statements.
“The investigating officers are going to the doorsteps of the victims and threatening them. Tell us, isn’t it a fact that the SIT officers are threatening the victims with false prostitution cases against them? Is this how the probe is being conducted,” Kumaraswamy questioned Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who earlier described the sex video scandal as the biggest sex scandal in the world.
“Where have you kept the rescued woman who was kidnapped? Why is she not being produced before the court? Do you support the act of distribution of private videos of the victims,” Kumaraswamy asked Gowda.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara defended the SIT probe, saying that it is functioning efficiently.
“The SIT is conducting a probe and the state government has taken the matter seriously,” he said.
Karnataka sex scandal
An SIT was formed after hundreds of explicit videos depicting Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna allegedly engaging in acts of sexual abuse against multiple women started doing the rounds last month.
A woman who worked in Prajwal’s household accused the MP and his father – JD(S) MLA and former minister HD Revanna – of sexual harassment. Another person has accused HD Revanna of kidnapping his mother, who worked at his farmhouse. Revanna was arrested on Sunday.
A day after a case was filed against Prajwal Revanna, he reportedly fled the country and is still absconding. A Blue Corner notice has been issued against him globally.
Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and son of JDS MLA HD Revanna, who has also been arrested for his alleged role in the kidnapping of a victim of the sex scandal involving his son. HD Kumaraswamy is the younger brother of HD Revanna.
Three arrests have been made in this case so far including JD(S) MLA HD Revanna and his aide Satish Babanna, according to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara. However, the minister declined to reveal the name of the third accused, stating that it would affect the investigation.
(With inputs from agencies)