We will register more cases if survivors come forward even now, says SIT Chief B.K. Singh 

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is willing to file more cases if other survivors of sexual abuse and rape come forward, taking courage from the judgment in the first case against former MP for Hassan Prajwal Revanna, said SIT chief B.K. Singh.

Mr. Singh, Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), addressing a press conference following the sentencing of Prajwal for rape on Saturday, said there were many survivors who did not lodge a complaint.

“We hope the verdict in the case, awarding maximum punishment to the accused in one year and four months after the case was registered, will give some solace to all the survivors who did not step forward and file a complaint. If these survivors lodge complaints even now, we will book cases,” Mr. Singh said.

There were over 2,900 explicit clips of nearly 100 women in the cache of clips allegedly recorded by Prajwal, leaked in Hassan on April 22, 2024. Of them, only four women came forward and lodged complaints leading to four cases — three of rape and one sexual harassment. 

Mr. Singh said the victim in the case was from the lowest strata of society, socially and economically, while the accused was from the most powerful political family of the State. “Ensuring justice is delivered in such a case in a short time, without the accused getting bail at all, has given us satisfaction. The accused has been convicted in all charges we made against him in the charge sheet,” he said.

Apart from the victim “without whom this was not possible”, he credited his team of investigating officer police inspector Shobha N., supervising officer Suman D. Pennekar and other officers of the SIT, prosecutors Ashok Nayak and B. N. Jagadeesha for the success. “Barring a few, including me, the SIT was mostly led by women officers,” he said. 

Challenging investigation

Mr. Singh said the investigation was challenging as both instances of the crime happened in 2021 and the case registered only in 2024. “There were many challenges owing to this delay. However, we collected biological, technical, digital, mobile and scientific evidence and this helped us,” he said. 

Forensic reports had confirmed that the man in the video, though his face was not visible, was indeed Prajwal. The victim had left her clothes in a wardrobe and analysis of them found DNA of Prajwal. 

Responding to questions, Mr. Singh said he was under no pressure from any quarter during the investigation. Ms. Pennekar said that she was the supervising officer and there was no pressure either way. “It was a professional, neutral investigation based on scientific and technical evidence,” she said. 

Those who leaked video

Mr. Singh said that the investigation into who leaked the explicit clips was completed and the chargesheet was being finalised. “In this case, we have seized over 100 computers, mobile phones, pen drives, and hard disks. Forensic analysis reports of all these devices have taken time. Now all reports have come and the chargesheet is being finalised. We will file it in the next two weeks,” he said.