‘Cancel Diplomatic Passport’: Siddaramaiah Writes To PM Modi To Bring Prajwal Revanna Back Amid Sexual Abuse Case (image-X/siddaramaiah)
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the central agencies to cancel the diplomatic passport of Janata Dal’s (Secular) and NDA candidate Prajwal Revanna and bring him back to India for the investigation.
The incumbent MP from Hassan constituency and grandson of JD(S) founder HD Deve Gowda fled for Germany shortly before a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was announced by the state government to investigate the sexual abuse case.
Sensing the impending investigation and arrest, Revanna fled the country on April 27 and has been travelling abroad using his diplomatic passport, stated the letter. The CM also stated that his government had established a SIT on April 28 under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the investigation had begun immediately. An FIR was lodged the same day after several women came forward accusing Revanna of sexual abuse and harassment.
Emphasising the importance of getting the accused back to India to face “investigation and trial as per the law of the land,” Siddaramaiah urged PM Modi to direct the Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs to take immediate action and cancel Revanna’s diplomatic passport. He also urged the centre to ensure Revanna’s swift return by taking the help of international police agencies and the Indian government’s diplomatic and police channels.
Describing the crimes as “horrific” and “shameful” that have “shaken the conscience of the country,” the state CM added, “The SIT of Karnataka will provide all the necessary details and fulfil all the legal formalities required in this regard.”
ಮಹಿಳಾ ದೌರ್ಜನ್ಯದಂತಹ ಗುರುತರ ಆರೋಪ ಹೊತ್ತಿರುವ ಹಾಲಿ ಸಂಸದ ಹಾಗೂ ಎನ್ಡಿಎ ಮೈತ್ರಿಕೂಟದ ಲೋಕಸಭಾ ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿ ಪ್ರಜ್ವಲ್ ರೇವಣ್ಣ ಅವರ ಅಶ್ಲೀಲ ವೀಡಿಯೋ ಪ್ರಕರಣದ ತನಿಖೆಗಾಗಿ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರವು ವಿಶೇಷ ತನಿಖಾ ತಂಡ ರಚಿಸಿದೆ.
ಈ ನಡುವೆ ಆರೋಪಿಯು ರಾಜತಾಂತ್ರಿಕ ಪಾಸ್ಪೋರ್ಟನ್ನು ಬಳಕೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ವಿದೇಶಕ್ಕೆ ಪರಾರಿಯಾಗಿರುವ ಬಗ್ಗೆ… pic.twitter.com/qqkxiXUMjr
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 1, 2024
More than 2,900 videos of Revanna, allegedly recorded by himself, circulated on social media days before the Lok Sabha elections began on April 26. BJP leader Devaraje Gowda, who previously faced defeat by Revanna’s father in the state assembly polls, claimed that he had gained access to the sexual abuse videos through Revanna’s former driver. Gowda had previously warned Home Minister Amit Shah about the videos and how giving Revanna a Lok Sabha ticket could harm the party in December 2023. He also alleged that leaders from the opposition party, Congress, also had access to the pen drives.
Revanna was suspended temporarily from the party on Tuesday.
