Union government yet to respond on request to cancel Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport: Karnataka Home Minister

Parameshwara said it is the duty of the Centre to provide help within the framework of law, by cancelling the diplomatic passport.

ByPTI

Published May 22, 2024 | 3:23 PM Updated May 22, 2024 | 4:37 PM

G Parameshwara speaking to reporters. (DrGParameshwara/Facebook)

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday, 22 May, said there is no response yet from the Centre regarding the request seeking cancellation of the diplomatic passport of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of sexual abuse of women, on the basis of an arrest warrant issued against him by a court.

He said it is the duty of the Centre to provide help within the framework of law, by cancelling the diplomatic passport.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government to probe the serial sex abuse charges against the MP, had written to the Ministry of External Affairs to cancel his diplomatic passport.

Also Read: No lapses on govt’s part in handling Prajwal sexual abuse cases: Karnataka HM

‘Nothing has come’

“Still nothing has come (from the Centre), the Centre also should help us, that’s what we are urging. There is no meaning in only criticising, within the framework of law, the Centre should also help us,” Parameshwara said.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said, “The Chief Minister had written a letter to the Prime Minister seeking cancellation of the diplomatic passport (of Prajwal Revanna), but we have not got any response to it. Now that the court has issued an arrest warrant against him, the SIT has written a letter informing the same through official channels. Cancelling his passport after a warrant being issued against him is their (Central government’s) duty.”

“The Central government has to help us, it is not the question of Revanna or Prajwal Revanna, it is the question of law. They have to cooperate. It is also the duty of the Central government to protect the law, and they will have to understand it,” he added.

The 33-year-old Prajwal, who is the grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda and is the NDA’s candidate from the Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women.

Also Read: Karnataka government writes to MEA to cancel Hassan MP’s diplomatic passport

Blue Corner Notice issued

Prajwal reportedly left for Germany on 27 April, a day after Hassan went to polls, and is still at large. A ‘Blue Corner Notice’ seeking information on his whereabouts has already been issued by Interpol, following a request by the SIT via the CBI.

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

On JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy’s statement that the purported audio of an alleged conversation between Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and BJP leader Devaraje Gowda about the leak of explicit videos allegedly involving Prajwal was evidence of the Deputy CM’s being behind the circulation of the clips, Parameshwara said, “Kumaraswamy is speaking about everything, but within the framework of law and in accordance with the SIT’s mandate, whatever has to be done (probed), the investigators will do it.”

“The government decided (to form SIT) keeping everything in mind. Every day, he (Kumaraswamy) is indulging in criticism, in a way he seems to be directing (investigation to be done) in a certain way,” he said.

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