‘Cancel Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport’: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah writes to PM Modi again

In the then letter addressed to the prime minister, Siddaramaiah urged Modi to even use diplomatic and police channels of the Government of India, as well as International Police agencies to bring Prajwal back.

Recently, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government to probe the serial sex abuse charges against the MP, had also written to the Ministry of External Affairs to cancel his diplomatic passport, on the basis of an arrest warrant issued against him by the court.

Hassan MP and the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Prajwal Revanna is at the centre of a sexual abuse case. Prajwal is also BJP-led NDA’s MP candidate in Hassan Lok Sabha constituency.

Prajwal’s father, HD Revanna has also been accused in the sexual abuse case , and kidnapping of a woman.

Presently, Revanna is on bail in two cases pertaining to the abduction of a woman and her illegal detention and sexual abuse.

As the news of the issue emerged, and a few hours before the first FIR was filed, Prajwal fled India to Germany on his diplomatic passport.

This took place on 27 April, a day after voting for the Lok Sabha elections in his constituency.

Also Read: JD(S) complains against Rahul Gandhi for claiming Prajwal Revanna ‘raped 400 women’

Hiding despite LoC and Blue colour notice

Further in the letter, the chief minister wrote: “The Government of Karnataka has taken prompt actions to meet the ends of justice by setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for investigation of the matter. The SIT is investigating the alleged crimes of Mr Prajwal Revanna against women and is making efforts to secure the presence of the accused in order to face the criminal charges.”

Calling it a matter of serious concern, Siddaramaiah said, “Prajwal has managed to remain in hiding, 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 Revanna contains charges in the nature of rape, sexual assault, disrobing women and forcibly video-graphing sexual acts in order to threaten the victims,” the letter read.

Needless to emphasise that such abuse of privileges and deliberate acts of non-cooperation with the legal proceedings deserves serious action by the Central Government or its instrumentalities so as to secure the presence of the accused to face investigation and trial, Siddaramaiah said, “It is disheartening that my previous letter raising similar concerns on the issue has not, to the best of my knowledge, been acted -upon despite the gravity of the situation.”

“Therefore, I urge you to kindly consider this matter with utmost seriousness and take prompt and necessary actions to cancel the diplomatic passport of Prajwal Revanna, under Section 10(3)(h) of the Passport Act, 1967 or under any other relevant law and secure his return to the country in the interest of public,” he added.

#Karntaka CM @siddaramaiah writes to Prime Minister @narendramodi
requesting him to cancel the Diplomatic passport of @JanataDal_S MP #PrajwalRevanna

“PrajwalRevanna has abused his diplomatic privileges to flee the country and escape criminal proceedings,”read the letter. pic.twitter.com/iwFgeG0dE5

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) May 23, 2024

Also Read: Centre to respond on request to cancel Prajwal’s diplomatic passport: K’taka HM

MEA processing Karnataka’s request

Meanwhile, according to the PTI, official sources said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is processing a request of the Karnataka government seeking the cancellation of the diplomatic passport of Prajwal Revanna.

Official sources said that the MEA has received a letter from the Karnataka government seeking the revocation of Revanna’s diplomatic passport.

“The MEA has received a letter from the Karnataka government for cancellation of diplomatic passport in respect of MP Prajwal Revanna. This is being processed,” a source said.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday, 22 May, said the Centre has not responded to the request for cancellation of Revanna’s diplomatic passport on the basis of an arrest warrant issued against the JD(S) leader.

A Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant on Saturday against Prajwal following an application moved by the SIT.

Earlier this month, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Revanna travelled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and did not seek political clearance for the trip.

“No political clearance was either sought from or issued by MEA in respect of the travel of the said MP to Germany,” Jaiswal had said.

(With PTI inputs)