The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a petition by the Karnataka government challenging a High Court decision that removed the charge of assault or criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty under Section 354 of the IPC against JD-S legislator H.D. Revanna.
A Bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran issued notice on the state’s appeal and asked Mr. Revanna to submit his reply.
Mr. Revanna faces accusations of sexually harassing a former domestic worker at his family’s farmhouse. The complaint also named his son, former MP Prajwal Revanna, leading to an FIR registered in April 2024.
In November 2025 the High Court retained the sexual harassment charge under Section 354A but dropped the Section 354 count. It directed the trial court to reconsider whether the nearly three-year delay in filing the complaint could be excused before taking cognisance.
The apex court questioned the High Court’s decision to alter charges after the trial court had already taken cognisance. The Bench also criticised the state for the delay in appealing the order, stressing the need for procedural discipline.
State counsel noted that allegations against the son included rape under Section 376. The Bench cautioned against mixing the separate accusations against father and son.
The High Court had accepted arguments that cognisance under Section 354A required first deciding on condonation of delay, and that charges should follow the original complaint. It remanded the matter accordingly.
Following the High Court order, the trial court discharged Mr. Revanna on December 29, 2025.
