Bengaluru: The high court refused to transfer cases filed against former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna to another court. The cases were filed for offences, including sexual harassment and rape. Prajwal filed two petitions on allegations of bias against the presiding officer. He was already convicted of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment in one case by the special court for cases pertaining to MPs/MLAs.Dismissing the petitions, Justice MI Arun said records indicate the trial court intended to hear the trial on a day-to-day basis. “In the process, any adjournments sought by the petitioner were frowned upon. The observations in the judgment may sound a bit harsh, but the same cannot be construed as bias on the part of the presiding officer. Admittedly, the petitioner tried to drag the case and resort to delay tactics, which were frowned upon by the trial court. If that can be a ground for transfer, there would be such petitions in almost all criminal cases. This practice cannot be permitted. On erroneous appreciation of evidence, the petitioner can always challenge the trial court judgment. That also cannot be a ground for seeking a transfer,” the judge said.Justice Arun noted that the special court is a designated court to deal with cases pertaining to elected representatives, and the trial court’s decision to reject Prajwal’s petition on that ground cannot be found fault with.
