No political clearance was sought or issued: MEA on Prajwal Revanna’s travel on diplomatic passport

“No political clearance was either sought from or issued by MEA in respect of the travel of the said MP to Germany,” Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing while replying to a volley of questions on the MP’s reported travel to Germany.

“Obviously, no visa note was issued either. No visa is required for diplomatic passport holders to travel to Germany. The Ministry has not issued visa note for any other country,” the MEA spokesperson said.

“No political clearance was either sought from or issued by MEA and no visa is required for diplomatic passport holders to travel to Germany,” says @MEAIndia official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on #PrajwalRevanna @iPrajwalRevanna travelled on a diplomatic passport he further… pic.twitter.com/Qern1kvIbb

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) May 2, 2024

Asked about whether the MEA may consider revocation of his passport in view of the allegations of sexual harassment against him, Jaiswal did not give a direct reply.

“As regards the possible revocation of the passport of any individual, I would refer you to the relevant provisions of the Passport Act 1967. We are not in receipt of any directions from any court in this regard,” he said.

Also Read: ‘Prajwal raped 400 women,’ alleges Rahul; ‘Why did Modi campaign for him?’ asks DKS

The sexual abuse row

The government of Karnataka has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations against Prajwal.

He is believed to have escaped to Germany shortly after polling in the first phase of elections in the state got over on 26 April, in which he was the JD(S)-BJP combine’s candidate from Hassan.

Nearly 3,000 explicit video clips allegedly involving Prajwal sexually abusing several women had started doing the rounds in Hassan in recent days.

Prajwal (33) is the grandson of JD(S) chief and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, and the son of former minister and current MLA HD Revanna.

The SIT on Tuesday, 30 April, issued notice to Prajwal Revanna and his father Revanna, who have been booked for alleged sexual harassment at the Holenarasipura police station in Hassan district on 28 April, based on a complaint by a woman who worked in their house, directing them to appear for investigation.

HD Revanna on Thursday moved the People’s Representative Court in Bengaluru, seeking anticipatory bail after SIT’s notice. Court has asked the SIT to file its objections and the matter is scheduled for a hearing on 3 May.

The JD(S) on Tuesday suspended Prajwal from the party over his alleged involvement in the sexual assault of hundreds of women, including government officials and party workers.

Prajwal on Wednesday sought seven days’ time to appear before the SIT.

Meanwhile, Prajwal’s brother and JD(S) MLC Suraj Revanna on Thursday, 2 May, said that the scandal and charges of sexual abuse levelled against his brother  was a “conspiracy to weaken their family politically”.

(Edited by Shauqueen Mizaj, with inputs from PTI)