Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written a second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the latter to cancel the diplomatic passport of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is absconding after the alleged sex scandal surfaced last month. Meanwhile, sources told India Today TV that the Karnataka government's request to cancel Revanna's diplomatic passport is now under process by the Ministry of External Affairs.
In his letter dated May 22, the Chief Minister said "it is shameful" that Prajwal Revanna "fled the country on April 27 using his diplomatic passport shortly after news of his heinous actions emerged and just a few hours before the first FIR was filed against him".
"He has abused his diplomatic privileges to flee the country and escape criminal proceedings."
An arrest warrant has been issued against Prajwal Revanna after several videos of women allegedly being sexually abused by the 33-year-old suspended Janata Dal (Secular) leader started making the rounds ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, which took place on April 26.
Revanna, who was the JD(S)-BJP joint candidate from Haasan, claimed the videos were morphed. He faces charges of rape, molestation, intimidation, blackmailing and threatening, while Interpol has issued a blue corner notice against him.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah further mentioned in the letter further stated that his state government has taken prompt actions to ensure justice by setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe 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 to face the criminal charges. 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," the letter said.
The Chief Minister further said it was "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 l0(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."
The development came a day after Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara said the Centre has not responded to the request for cancellation Revanna's diplomatic passport on the basis of an arrest warrant issued against him.
"An arrest warrant has been issued by the court, but the Central government has not yet cancelled his diplomatic passport," he said.
