Rape-accused suspended JDS leader Prajwal Revanna sent to police custody till June 6
Bengaluru: Suspended Janata Dal-Secular leader and rape-accused MP Prajwal Revanna, who was arrested on Friday morning from Bengaluru airport on his return from Germany, has been sent to police custody till June 6.
He was taken into custody from Kempegowda Airport at 12.45 am by a three-member team of female cops.
Prajwal was arrested by women cops and the move was hailed by ex-Bengaluru top cop-turned-politician K Bhaskar Rao, who called it a "positive sign the strong women in Karnataka's police force will not only deal with the perpetrator but send a strong message to hundreds of women... "
Following his arrest, the JDS Lok Sabha candidate from Hassan was taken to a city hospital for a routine medical check-up, after which he was presented before the court for a remand hearing.
The cops had sought custody for 14 days.
According to the police, they wanted time to examine the mobile phone - from which voice samples will be sent for forensic analysis - and luggage seized at the airport, as well as "incriminating material" gathered from a raid on his home in Hassan. He will be taken to Hassan at a later date.
Allegations against Prajwal include include rape, sexual assault, disrobing women, and forcibly video-graphing sexual acts to intimidate the victims.
Prajwal reportedly fled to Germany on April 27, a day after polling concluded in Hassan, where he was re-contesting his seat.
In a statement Monday, Prajwal claimed comments and "political drama" by opposition leaders drove him to "depression and isolation".
"I apologise to my parents... I was in depression. I will come (back to India) and appear before the SIT (a special investigative team set up by the state government) on May 31 (Friday)," he said as reported in the media.
"I will cooperate to the best of my abilities and provide all answers. I have full faith in the legal system (and) I will come out of these false cases against me. I have the blessings of God and my family..."
The Congress government in Karnataka has been battling to force his return since, accusing the BJP of shielding a rival by delaying requests to cancel Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport.
The Centre has hit back at the claim by stating it received a request only on May 21 and had acted within 48 hours, issuing a show-cause notice to Prajwal.
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