Karnataka govt requests MEA to revoke Revanna's diplomatic passport: report

The Karnataka government has shot off a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs requesting the cancellation of the diplomatic passport of Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing allegations of sexually abusing several women.

ANI news agency, quoting sources, reported that the MEA is processing the request.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday wrote yet another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to revoke Revanna's diplomatic privileges.

He left the country shortly after news of his "heinous actions emerged and just a few hours before the first case was filed against him", the Congress leader told PM Modi.

The Hassan MP reportedly fled to Germany on April 27 using his diplomatic passport, after the whole matter came out.

Prajwal Revanna, who is the grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, and son of Karnataka MLA HD Revanna, recently contested from the Hassan constituency under the BJP-JDS alliance.

"I write to you once again to draw attention to the grave series of incidents that Prajwal Revanna has been accused of committing. These incidents have not only shocked the conscience of the people of the State of Karnataka but have also caused a nationwide concern," Siddaramaiah said in his letter to the PM dated May 22.

He said, "It is shameful that Prajwal Revanna, a Member of Parliament from Hassan constituency, who is also contesting for re-election in the present general elections, and who is the grandson of a former Prime Minister, fled the country, the 27th of April, 2024 to Germany using his diplomatic passport bearing number D1135500 shortly after news of his heinous actions emerged and just a few hours before the first FIR was filed against him." Accusing Prajwal of abusing his diplomatic privileges to flee the country and to escape criminal proceedings, the CM further said, the Government of Karnataka has taken prompt actions to meet the ends of justice by setting up a SIT for investigation of the matter.

The SIT is investigating the alleged crimes of Prajwal Revanna against women and is making efforts to secure the presence of the accused in order to face the criminal charges, he said.

"It is a matter of serious concern that the accused Prajwal Revanna 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 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," he noted.

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