India
Karnataka SIT Officers Honored with MHA Medals for Revanna Investigation
Three officers from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that investigated former Hassan MP and JDS leader Prajwal Revanna’s sex crimes have received the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak‑2026 from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Police Inspector Shobha N., the Investigation Officer who led the case in which Revanna was convicted after a year of a rape complaint, Assistant Sub‑Inspector Rathnamma K., and Civil Police Head Constable Balakrishna Y. were awarded the medal for 2026. Three other Karnataka police inspectors—Bavuddeen Rukmuddeen Gaddekar, Manjunath, and M. Srinivasa Rao—who were not involved in the Revanna case, also received the medal this year. The SIT, formed by the Karnataka government under B.K. Singh, Additional Director‑General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, was established after sex videos allegedly recorded by Revanna surfaced in 2024. Four FIRs were filed against Revanna for sexual abuse; he was convicted in the first case in 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment, while trials in the remaining three cases continue. Earlier this year, the Karnataka government announced a ₹25 lakh cash reward for the SIT, which attracted criticism from former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. The medals were presented by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Published – October 31, 2026 09:48 pm IST
Frequently asked questions
Which officers received the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak‑2026?
Police Inspector Shobha N., Assistant Sub‑Inspector Rathnamma K., and Civil Police Head Constable Balakrishna Y. were awarded the medal for 2026.
What was the outcome of the investigation into Prajwal Revanna?
Revanna was convicted in the first case in 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment, while trials in the remaining three cases continue.