Bengaluru: A family of five finds it difficult to fall asleep in a cramped room at a government-run hostel. With two school-going children, the space is hardly sufficient for them. But they have no other choice. This is the only shelter the government has provided since they were released from police protection nearly four months ago.
The family is one of the many which endured years of sexual, mental and physical abuse allegedly at the hands of Karnataka’s powerful Revanna family, but among the few who mustered the courage to come forward.
“Food is a problem and health is not good. We need a home. We cannot even cook our own food and have to make do with what is being provided to us,” said one of the women, requesting anonymity.
The survivors of abuse and their families were given police protection after they filed complaints against Prajwal Revanna, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s grandson, and other members of the family. The allegations include repeated sexual assault, criminal intimidation and kidnapping.
Their lives were turned upside down after visuals of their alleged abuse went viral on social media and played on a loop on TV news channels in April.
Now, six months on, those who complained, and their families, are struggling to rebuild their lives, facing steep odds in their fight for justice against one of India’s most powerful political families.
They are living in government hostels and struggling to make ends meet through donations and the small income from their jobs. The police have helped two of the three individuals who spoke out secure positions as attendants and cooks at government hostels. However, they have not yet received any compensation from the government.
They can’t go back home because of the fear of retaliation and revenge from the Revannas, as well as the social stigma they will likely face.
This fear has forced the family of one such person to leave their family home in a village about 240 km from Bengaluru.
“After such a thing has happened, we cannot move around the village freely, nor can we go to work. People look at us differently,” said the relative of the survivor, an elderly woman, also requesting anonymity. “What has happened cannot be changed. But it is embarrassing for us too.”
The woman now works in the kitchen of another hostel in Bengaluru, where she lives with her young son. Their lives are largely confined within the walls of the hostel.
Prajwal Revanna, a former JD(S) MP who was suspended following allegations of sexually abusing several women from vulnerable backgrounds, was arrested upon his arrival at Bengaluru airport on 31 May. He has since been in the custody of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe the case.
Meanwhile, his father H.D. Revanna, mother Bhavani Revanna, and brother Suraj Revanna—also accused in some of the cases—are out on bail.
Allegations against other Revannas
Four women so far have filed cases, alleging rape, criminal intimidation, conspiracy, abduction and outraging the modesty of a woman.
H.D. Revanna, a former minister and MLA from Holenarsipura, is currently out on bail in a case involving the alleged abduction of a woman to prevent the SIT from locating her. Bhavani is also implicated in this case.
Additionally, Suraj Revanna, a JD(S) MLC, is out on bail in a case involving accusations of sodomy.
ThePrint reached the man who accused Suraj for a comment. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
An environment of fear
Having ruled over Hassan district and its affairs for three generations, the Revannas are as feared as Gowda is revered.
As a result, many of the women who appeared in the videos circulated online were reluctant to come forward and lodge complaints. An environment of fear had gripped the town of Holenarsipura and surrounding areas.
Locals alleged that such was the extent of alleged sexual abuse in this town that families often refrained from bringing young women to weddings, fearing they might attract the attention of members of the Revanna family, who would seek their contact details and later invite them to their homes.
“Revanna has not been his usual self and is largely confined to his home. But he makes subtle threats of going after everyone who went against his family,” Vijaykumar, an activist from Hassan, told ThePrint.
Rape cases often drag on for years in various courts turning the legal process into a punishment. Unable to return home and rebuild their lives, they are left to struggle to make a living in any way they can.
One of the women who filed a complaint told ThePrint that her rent has been overdue for five months, and her landlord is demanding payment. “It has been many months since we left our homes and the rent is due, but we have no income. We are somehow managing with the salary from the government hostel and other donations,” she said.
‘Cannot live in a hostel room forever’
The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government announced compensation for survivors of rape and promised protection for those who come forward to register complaints against the Revannas. However, sources indicate that little progress has been made so far. In May, Congress National General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala stated that the state government would provide financial compensation, but six months later, no payments have been made, according to at least three individuals who spoke out against the Revannas, who spoke to ThePrint.
“The police have been very helpful but we want a home and cannot live in a hostel room forever,” said one person.
Without an income, they have been making do with some donations that come their way.
“They are living their lives, they are not under us. But wherever they are living, they are safe is all we know. We are not monitoring them,” said one police officer directly involved in the case.
ThePrint reached Lakshmi Hebbalkar, the minister for women and child welfare, and a senior police official probing the case via calls. This report will be updated if and when responses are received.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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