Indian MP's 'sex abuse' tapes spark outrage
By Imran Qureshi in Bengaluru and Meryl Sebastian in Kochi
Thousands of videos allegedly showing an Indian MP sexually abusing women have circulated in the southern state of Karnataka, sparking outrage.
Police are investigating allegations against Prajwal Revanna who is accused of assaulting several women.
Mr Revanna has not commented but an official from his office denied this, saying the videos are doctored.
The MP belongs to the Janata Dal (Secular) which is an ally of PM Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
His father HD Revanna, who is a legislator in the Karnataka state assembly, is also an accused in the police complaint lodged by a former employee of the family. He has denied the allegations, calling them a political conspiracy.
On Monday, the JD(S), announced it was suspending Prajwal Revanna. The party was founded by Mr Revanna’s grandfather HD Deve Gowda, who is a former Indian prime minister.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah said that a special investigation team (SIT) will look into the case, based on a request by the state’s women’s commission.
The allegations against Prajwal Revanna came to the fore a day after his constituency Hassan voted in the general election on 26 April. Mr Revanna is the MP from Hassan in the outgoing parliament and is seeking another term.
