Bengaluru Court Rejects Co-Accused Plea to Turn Approver in Suraj Revanna Case

A special court in Bengaluru on Tuesday rejected an application filed by Shivakumar HL, the second accused in an alleged unnatural sexual assault case involving JDS MLC Dr Suraj Revanna, seeking permission to turn approver in the matter.

Rejecting the plea, the court noted that Shivakumar had failed to establish sufficient legal or factual grounds for being granted approver status. The court stated that the case should proceed in accordance with the law.

In his application, Shivakumar claimed that he possessed complete knowledge of the incident. He submitted to the court that he was willing to make a full and truthful disclosure regarding the specific roles of both accused individuals in the case.

However, counsel appearing for Dr Suraj Revanna, Gangadhar Shetty, strongly opposed Shivakumar's application. Shetty argued before the court that Shivakumar's involvement in the case pertains strictly to the allegation that he had threatened the complainant.

The counsel further submitted that Shivakumar was not present during the alleged incident of unnatural sexual assault itself. Consequently, Shetty argued, Shivakumar could not provide direct evidence regarding the alleged offence.

The case originates from a complaint lodged on June 22, 2024, with the Holenarasipura rural police. The complainant alleged that Suraj Revanna had subjected him to unnatural sexual assault. Following an investigation, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed a chargesheet naming both Suraj Revanna and Shivakumar as accused.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar, described as an associate of Suraj Revanna, had previously filed a counter-complaint against the complainant. In that complaint, Shivakumar alleged that the complainant was actively blackmailing Suraj Revanna by threatening to file a sexual harassment case against him and was demanding Rs 5 crore to withdraw the accusations.

Following the court's decision on Tuesday, the legal proceedings against both accused will continue in accordance with standard legal procedure.