Karnataka BJP Leader Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault and Blackmail
In a shocking development, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and advocate G. Devaraje Gowda has been arrested by the police in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district on charges of alleged sexual assault and blackmail. The arrest comes amidst a complex web of allegations and counter-allegations involving Gowda and Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna.
The Complaint and Allegations
According to reports, a 36-year-old woman from Hassan district filed a complaint against Gowda on April 1, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her after promising to help her sell her property. The woman claimed that Gowda had called her over the phone and assured her that he would assist with the sale. He later took her to his residence and sexually abused her, the complaint stated.In a separate complaint, the woman’s husband accused Gowda of using casteist slurs against him and threatening the family. The complaint further stated that Gowda boasted about going against the family of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.
Gowda’s Counter-Allegations
Prior to the woman’s complaint, Gowda had filed a case against three people in Bengaluru, alleging that he had been honey-trapped. He claimed that the individuals had video-called him, recorded the conversation, and demanded ₹2 crore, threatening to release the footage to the media if he did not pay.Gowda had also made allegations against JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, claiming that he possessed videos and photos showing the purported sexual abuse of several women by the MP. He had written to the BJP state president cautioning the party against fielding Revanna in the polls.
Arrest and Investigation
Based on the woman’s complaint, the Holenarsipur police registered a case against Gowda under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sexual assault, house trespass, and criminal intimidation. He was arrested on Friday night by the police in Chitradurga district and taken to Holenarsipur for questioning.The police have seized Gowda’s car as part of the investigation. He was presented before a magistrate on Saturday and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
Political Implications
Gowda, who contested the 2023 Assembly election from Holenarsipur on a BJP ticket, lost to former minister H.D. Revanna of the JD(S). He is known for his rivalry with the Revanna family and has held press conferences against them in the past.The case has added to the political turmoil in Karnataka, with the ruling BJP facing allegations of sexual misconduct against one of its leaders. The opposition parties are likely to use this incident to target the BJP and question its commitment to women’s safety and empowerment.
Conclusion
The arrest of Karnataka BJP leader G. Devaraje Gowda on charges of sexual assault and blackmail has brought to light a complex web of allegations and counter-allegations in the state’s political landscape. As the investigation progresses, the case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the parties involved and the broader political discourse in Karnataka.
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