NEW DELHI (TIP): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is processing a request from the Karnataka government to cancel the diplomatic passport of absconding Janata Dal(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who faces several allegations of sexual abuse, an official source said on May 23.
“MEA has received a letter from the Karnataka government for cancellation of diplomatic passport in respect of MP Prajwal Revanna. This is being processed,” the source said. Prajwal Revanna, 33, is the grandson of JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. He is believed to have been in Europe since April 27. Prajwal Revanna assumed that political power of family would let him get away with anything, say people in Hassan.
The Karnataka government has set up a Special Investigation Team to investigate the cases against Mr. Prajwal.
Besides seeking the cancellation of the diplomatic passport, the Chief Minister urged Mr. Modi to “take prompt and concerted actions to secure Mr. Prajwal Revanna’s return to India”.
“It is shameful that Mr. Prajwal Revanna, MP of Hassan, who is also the candidate from the JD(S) in the constituency in the 2024 general elections and the grandson of former Prime Minister, fled the country on April 27, 2024, to Germany using his diplomatic passport bearing the number D1135500 shortly after news of his heinous action emerged and just a few hours before the FIR was filed against him. He has abused his diplomatic privileges to flee the country and to escape criminal proceedings,” Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.
“The accused Mr. Prajwal has managed to remain in hiding to this day despite the issue of a Look Out Circular, a Blue Corner Notice and two notices by the Investigating officer under Section 41A CrPC. The FIR against Mr. Prajwal contains charges in the nature of rape, sexual assault disrobing women and forcibly video graphing sexual acts in order to threaten the victims,” he said.
“Therefore, I urge you to kindly consider this matter with utmost seriousness, take prompt and necessary actions to cancel the diplomatic passport of Mr. Prajwal Revanna under Section 10 (3)(h) of the Passport Act of 1967 or under any other relevant law and secure his return to the country in the interest of the public,” he added.
The Ministry had earlier informed that the passport could be revoked if a requisite judicial order was obtained in this regard from a court.
“As far as the matter of revoking a diplomatic passport of a person is concerned, it comes under the Passport Act of 1967. And as per its provisions, a direction should come from the court. Only then it can be revoked,” Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on May 2 during an official briefing.
Deve Gowda issues stern warning
Mr. Deve Gowda, meanwhile, issued a stern warning to Mr. Prajwal Revanna, asking him to return to India and surrender before the police.
“I have issued a warning to Prajwal Revanna to return immediately from wherever he is and subject himself to the legal process. He should not test my patience any further,” Mr. Deve Gowda said in a post on X. The JD(S) chief said he or his family would not interfere in the process of law.