In a second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Prajwal Revanna case, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah raised concerns that there was no action taken after he sought cancellation of the MP's diplomatic passport. He pointed out that "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, in his letter to the PM, said it is "shameful" that the MP, who contested in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and who is the grandson of a former Prime Minister, fled the country using his diplomatic passport. "He has abused his diplomatic privileges to flee the country and to escape criminal proceedings," the CM wrote.
"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 Mr Prajwal Revanna against women and is making efforts to secure the presence of the accused in order ot face the criminal charges. It is a matter of serious concern that the accused Mr 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," he added.
He further urged Modi to consider this matter with "utmot seriousness", requesting the PM to take necessary actions to cancel the diplomatic passport and secure his return to the country.
However, official sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Centre is processing a request of the state government to cancel Prajwal's diplomatic passport. "The MEA has received a letter from the Karnataka government for cancellation of diplomatic passport in respect of MP Prajwal Revanna. This is being processed," PTI quoted a source as saying.
The JD(S) scion fled to Germany after the second phase of elections in the state after explicit videos of women allegedly raped and harassed by him were leaked in a pen drive. A Indian citizen with a diplomatic passport has to surrender their regular blue passport. If the Ministry of External Affairs cancels Prajwal's diplomatic passport, he will lose his privilege, following which the SIT can request Interpol to issue of a red corner notice via CBI.
