Sex scandal: Prajwal Revanna's ex-driver accuses BJP leader of leaking videos

Revanna, who is also the nephew of former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, was suspended from the Janata Dal (Secular) earlier in the day after a huge controversy broke following the leaking of the videos and an FIR against him subsequently.

The 33-year-old leader left for Germany on Saturday, a day after polling took place in Karnataka's Hassan from where he is a candidate, and shortly after the videos began circulating online.

In a video posted on social media, Karthik, who claimed to have worked as Revanna's driver for 15 years, said he had given the videos to BJP leader G Devaraje Gowda.

He said he did this as Gowda contested and lost against Revanna's father, HD Revanna, from the Holenarasipura constituency in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls.

"I heard Mr Gowda mention that I gave the pen drive containing the videos to Congress leaders. These are lies. I had approached him since he was a BJP candidate in the last Assembly elections. I thought I would get justice from him. I didn't give it to anyone else because the Congress was in an alliance with the JDS earlier. I went to this BJP leader, but he cheated me," Karthik was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The former driver said he had seen the good and bad times of the Deve Gowda family when he worked there as a driver. "I held a press conference earlier and another person who worked there also spoke out. I hope more people will come forward," he said.

On Saturday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the allegations.

Karthik said he will approach the team with documents and evidence.

The alleged scandal came to light after a woman filed a complaint against Revanna over sexual assault. She accused the JDS leader of sexually abusing her on several occasions between 2019 and 2022.

BJP stand:

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was in alliance with the JD(S) in Karnataka this time, has said that an insult to 'Matri Shakti' won't be tolerated.

Speaking to the reporters, Union Home Minister and BJP top leader Amit Shah said, "BJP's stand is clear that it is with the country's 'Matri Shakti' and 'Nari Shakti'. Narendra Modi's commitment to the nation is the insult to 'Matri Shakti' won't be tolerated. Congress is accusing us but whose government is in place there?

"Why hasn't the Congress government acted against it? Law and order is a state issue. Priyanka-ji (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress general secretary) is questioning us! I would tell her that she should ask her own Chief Minister instead of questioning Narendra Modi and myself."

"We are in favour of investigation. JDS has also decided to take action against him. Today JDS has a core committee meeting and actions will be taken," the top BJP leader said.

Even G Devaraje Gowda has denied allegations that he released the video stating what gains would the saffron party make from the scandal.  He said it is the Congress who will have political gains from this.

Gowda told reporters that Karthik had been seen several times with Revanna's Congress rival from Hassan constituency, Shreyas Patel.

The BJP leader said neither the JDS nor his party would release the videos as the same would hurt the NDA. He said he would give important documents to the SIT when they serve him a notice.

An FIR has been registered against Revanna and his father for allegedly sexually harassing their former cook.  Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has said that Prajwal Revanna will be asked to return to India by the SIT.