A court in southern India has sentenced Karnataka politician Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of raping a former domestic worker.

The verdict was delivered on Saturday 2nd Aug 2025, just a day after the 34-year-old was convicted of sexual assault.

Revanna, who comes from a prominent political dynasty in Karnataka, had served as a Member of Parliament and is the grandson of former Indian Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. His party, Janata Dal (Secular), is currently allied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The case against Revanna erupted in 2023 when explicit videos allegedly showing him engaging in sexual acts began circulating widely on social media, sparking national outrage.

Despite the gravity of the footage, Revanna denied all allegations. During the sentencing proceedings, he reportedly broke down in court and pleaded for leniency.

Revanna left India in April 2024 using a diplomatic passport shortly after the videos surfaced. At the time, his office claimed the videos had been manipulated, and Revanna did not issue a personal statement. He was arrested upon his return from Germany a month later.

Legal experts and activists have noted the rarity of such a powerful political figure receiving a life sentence in a sexual violence case in India, where cases involving influential individuals are often delayed or dismissed.

This conviction marks just one of several legal battles Revanna is facing. He remains under investigation in two additional rape cases and one case of sexual harassment all of which he continues to deny.

His sentencing has reignited public debate over accountability and the culture of impunity that often surrounds India's political elite.