Breaking the immunity of privilege

The conviction of Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, marks a significant moment in India’s justice system. A former MP from an influential political dynasty receiving life imprisonment for rape sends an unambiguous message that power and privilege are no longer a guarantee of protection. Prajwal was found guilty of repeatedly raping a 47-year-old domestic worker, which marked the first verdict among the four sexual assault cases against him. The scandal erupted when multiple explicit videos, allegedly recorded by Prajwal himself, surfaced before the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The sheer scale of abuse and perversion triggered public outrage, forcing the government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The evidence was damning: digital evidence, the survivor’s courageous testimony, DNA samples, and a groundbreaking forensic technique – genital mapping – sealed his fate. This case sets a legal precedent, proving that advanced forensic science, when combined with meticulous investigation, robust prosecution, and judicial resolve, can dismantle the immunity of the powerful.

Equally alarming was an ex parte injunction issued by a lower court barring 86 media houses from reporting “defamatory” content against Prajwal. The legal gag delayed public scrutiny and nearly derailed the case. Had a whistleblower not leaked the videos, the truth may have been buried. This case exposes the dangers of courts granting injunctions without due diligence or hearing the media. Worse, it reveals a disturbing pattern: over a dozen politicians have secured such gag orders. The question thus arises: what incriminating evidence is hidden in their pen drives? How many more victims are being denied justice while the powerful silence the truth?

Prajwal’s conviction is significant not only for its legal precedent but for its societal reckoning. That a man from one of Karnataka's most influential families, backed by caste and political clout, has been held answerable signals a long-overdue shift. The idea of elite invincibility lies punctured. For survivors of sexual violence, this verdict is a beacon of hope, proof that justice can prevail even against the mighty. This is also a morale booster for all survivors. However, this case also highlights a glaring disparity as several victims still languish in legal limbo waiting for justice. The true test of progress will be when such efficiency becomes the norm, not the exception. May this verdict mark the end of unchecked privilege and usher in a new era in accountability, ensuring that no predator, regardless of power or pedigree, escapes justice again.