What happened

The Supreme Court agreed to hear Karnataka’s challenge to a High Court order that quashed the charge under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 against former JD(S) minister and legislator H.D. Revanna in a sexual-harassment case. The Supreme Court issued notice to Revanna and said it had reservations about the High Court’s interference after cognisance had already been taken.

The complaint was filed by a former house help. The related first information report (FIR) was registered in April 2024 after allegations were also made against Revanna’s son, former Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna.

Background and earlier position

The Karnataka High Court had retained the Section 354A sexual-harassment charge but quashed the Section 354 count. The High Court also asked the trial court to reconsider whether the nearly three-year delay in filing the complaint could be condoned.

What changed now