Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 1 wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the cancellation of Janta Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna’s passport in light of numerous sexual abuse allegations that have surfaced against him.
On May 2, the external affairs ministry acknowledged that Revanna travelled to Germany on a diplomatic passport but said authorities had no role in facilitating a visa for him. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said according to the provisions of the Passports Act of 1967, passports can only be revoked on the directions of a court.
The Karnataka government’s formal letter seeking the revocation of Revanna’s passport was received by the MEA on Tuesday, May 21.
Karnataka government sources on May 23 said that the Ministry of External Affairs is processing the cancellation of JD (S) MP Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport. If his passport is cancelled, he would be compelled to return.
MP Prajwal Revanna, the suspended JD (S) leader who faces allegations of mass sexual abuse and currently he is believed to be in Germany. Revanna had reportedly left the country before an FIR was lodged against him in connection with the sexual abuse allegations.
Despite the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Karnataka government to probe the matter, Prajwal remains on the run and has evaded legal authorities. The SIT had issued several Look Out Circulars and notices under 41A CrPC.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the case wrote to the external affairs ministry to cancel the diplomatic passport two days after the Special Court for Elected Representatives in Bengaluru issued an arrest warrant for Revanna in a rape case registered by a former domestic help on April 28.
Will Prajwal Revanna return after passport cancellation?
In India, a diplomatic passport can be revoked by an order from the Ministry of Home Affairs or by a court order, if it is felt that the person is needed for a criminal investigation. But this will not guarantee the return of the person to India, as they will also face an extradition hearing and the countries where they are, sometimes, allow the person to stay back.
Several accusations have been levelled against Prajwal Revanna for sexually assaulting numerous women and recording them on his phone. On April 28, a 47-year-old woman filed a complaint against the MP, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, accusing him of harassing her and her daughter. Shortly after more women came forward with complaints, Prajwal was suspended from the party on April 30.
Thousands of pens drive allegedly having his sexual assault videos were circulated in Hassan, the Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka from where he contesting as a BJP-JD(S) candidate. In this constituency voting was on April 26, 2024. Prajwal Revanna won 2019 elections from the same Lok Sabha seat.
A diplomatic passport is a special type of passport issued to individuals who are members of a country’s diplomatic service or are traveling abroad on official government business.
