SC Hears Karnataka Plea Against Quashing Of Section 354 Charge Against HD Revanna

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine the Karnataka government's appeal challenging a Karnataka High Court order that quashed a charge under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Janata Dal (Secular) MLA H.D. Revanna in a sexual harassment case filed by his former domestic help. The apex court issued notice to Revanna and sought his response while initiating proceedings on the state's appeal. A Bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran directed H.D. Revanna to file a counter affidavit in response to the Karnataka government's petition.

During the hearing, the Bench also questioned the state over the delay in approaching the Supreme Court against the High Court's November 19, 2025 order, asking why the appeal had not been filed earlier after the Section 354 charge was set aside. The judges observed that the government should have acted with greater promptness and remarked that the state should "have some discipline" in pursuing legal remedies. While agreeing to hear the matter, the Bench sought an explanation for the time taken to challenge the High Court's decision before issuing notice to the respondent.

The case relates to allegations made by a former domestic worker against H.D. Revanna. The Supreme Court also noted during the hearing that the complainant had levelled separate allegations against both Revanna and his son, former Hassan Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna. The allegations against Prajwal Revanna had emerged after explicit videos allegedly involving him surfaced before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, leading to multiple criminal cases. Prajwal Revanna has since been convicted in one of those cases.

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In its November 19, 2025 judgment, the Karnataka High Court had quashed the charge under Section 354 IPC, which deals with assault or criminal force intended to outrage the modesty of a woman. However, it retained the charge under Section 354A IPC, relating to sexual harassment, observing that the allegations disclosed an offence under the latter provision rather than Section 354. The High Court had also directed the trial court to examine whether the delay in filing the complaint could be condoned under Section 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Since Section 354A carries a maximum punishment of three years' imprisonment, the issue of limitation was considered relevant to the continuation of proceedings. The court further observed that charges against H.D. Revanna should be framed strictly on the basis of the complainant's original statement and referred to discrepancies between the initial complaint and the subsequent police report. Following the High Court's ruling, an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Hassan discharged H.D. Revanna from the case on December 29, 2025.

The Karnataka government has now challenged the quashing of the Section 354 charge before the Supreme Court, seeking restoration of that offence. The Supreme Court's latest order does not determine the merits of the allegations but marks the beginning of appellate proceedings on the state's challenge. The case will now proceed after H.D. Revanna files his response, following which the apex court will examine whether the Karnataka High Court's decision to quash the Section 354 IPC charge warrants interference.

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