The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday, September 13, filed its third chargesheet against Prajwal Revanna, former Member of Parliament from Hassan, charging him of raping a worker from his party, Janata Dal (Secular), over a period of three years, from January 2020 to December 2023.

The latest 1,691-page chargesheet states that Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulted the victim multiple times and recorded videos of the acts, which were then allegedly used to blackmail and threaten her. The first incident reportedly took place at MP’s official residence in Hassan, when the victim had approached Prajwal with a request to accommodate students from her constituency in a girls' hostel.

Prajwal has been charged under Sections 376(2)(n) for repeated rape, 354 A (1) (ii) sexual harassment by demanding sexual favours, 354B for assault of a woman, 354C for voyeurism, and 506 for criminal intimidation of the Indian Penal Code. He has also been booked under sections under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

This comes after the SIT filed two chargesheets against Prajwal earlier. On September 9, the SIT charged him in connection with sexual assault on a former house help employed by his family, while an earlier chargesheet on August 23 detailed allegations of sexual assault on a cook employed by the family, as well as harassment of the cook's daughter.

The SIT has registered four cases against Prajwal, with the fourth chargesheet, related to sexual harassment, expected to be filed soon. Prajwal is currently lodged in the Parappana Agrahara Central jail, while his bail petition is pending before the Karnataka High Court.

TNM has been continuously reporting on this case, speaking to survivors and others affected, to explore the profound societal impact of the sexual abuse videos. Our coverage can be accessed here.