Siddaramaiah writes to PM Modi to cancel Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. File pic

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and have urged him to cancel the Diplomatic Passport of JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna. Revanna is facing an SIT probe over allegation of sexual harassment. He also urged PMModi to ensure his return to India, reported news agency ANI.

In the letter, Siddaramaiah said that it is shameful that Prajwal Revanna fled the country to Germany using his diplomatic passport just few hours after a FIR was filed against him for his heinous actions.

"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," 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 election, and who is the grandson of a former Prime Minister, fled the country on the 27th of April 2024 to Germany using his diplomatic passport bearing number 11135500 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 to escape criminal proceedings," the Karnataka CM added.

Siddaramaiah expressed his concern over Prajwal Revanna's misuse of diplomatic passport. He also told that despite the efforts of Special Investigation Team (SIT) Revanna is still hiding to this day.

"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 Prajwal Revanna against women and is making efforts to secure the presence of the accused to face criminal charges," he said.

He said that 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 urged Prime Minister to treat this matter with utmost importance and take necessary actions. He asked to cancel the diplomatic passport of Prajwal Revanna under Section 10(3)(h) of the Passport Act, 1967 or under any other relevant law.

"Needless to emphasize that such abuse of privileges and deliberate acts of non-cooperation with the legal proceedings deserve serious action by the Central Government or its instrumentalities so as to secure the presence of the accused to face investigation and trial. 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," Siddaramaiah said in his letter.

Meanwhile, as per the sources, the of Ministry of External Affairs of India has received Siddaramaiah's letter and his request is being processed.

HD Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna, are facing a probe by an SIT constituted by the Karnataka government over allegations of sexual harassment. The complaint was filed by a woman who worked in their household.

(With inputs from ANI)