In a recent development, a case of sexual harassment has been lodged against BJP leader G Devaraje Gowda from Hassan. The complaint, filed by a 36-year-old woman from Hassan district, accuses Gowda of molesting her under the guise of assisting in property dealings. Although the FIR was registered on April 1, it surfaced publicly only after Gowda’s involvement in exposing allegations against Prajwal Revanna, the JD(S) MP from Hassan.

Gowda, an advocate, had previously brought to the attention of BJP leadership concerning Prajwal Revanna’s purported sexual misconduct involving multiple women. Despite his warnings, the BJP formed an alliance with the JD(S), which led to Prajwal Revanna being fielded as the BJP-JD(S) Lok Sabha candidate from Hassan. Gowda had contested against Prajwal Revanna’s father, H D Revanna, in the 2023 assembly elections, accusing the Congress leadership in Karnataka of leaking videos related to the alleged sexual abuse cases.

The timing of the sexual harassment allegations against Gowda, amidst his whistleblowing on the Prajwal Revanna case, raises questions about potential motives and political ramifications. Gowda has not issued any statements regarding the allegations against him.