'Don't test my patience': Deve Gowda tells grandson Prajwal to return to India, face law

Surrender or face the anger of your family - this is former prime minister and JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda's stern warning to his grandson Prajwal Revanna, the NDA's candidate from Karnataka's Hassan Lok Sabha seat, who has been accused of sexual assault by several women.

The 33-year-old Prajwal, facing serious charges of sexual abuse, has triggered a national uproar. Allegations include rape, sexual assault, disrobing women, and forcibly video-graphing sexual acts to intimidate the victims.

"I spoke to the media about Prajwal Revanna on 18 May when I was headed to the temple to offer pooja. It took me some time to recover from the shock and pain he has inflicted on me, my entire family, my colleagues, friends and party workers. I have already said that he should be given the harshest punishment under the law if found guilty. My son and former Karnataka Chief Minister, Shri. H.D Kumaraswamy, has advocated this line since the day the scandal broke," Mr Deve Gowda wrote in his public letter.