Karnataka: No response yet from Centre on cancelling Prajwal Revanna's passport

The Centre has not responded to Karnataka Government's letter seeking cancellation of diplomatic passport issued to Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is at the centre of a police investigation into cases of alleged sexual abuse of women. It was the duty of the Centre to cancel the passport and assist the State within the framework of law, Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Wednesday.

The CM has also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for cancellation of the passport, but there has been no response. Now, the government has written a letter after a court ordered an arrest warrant against him, and it was now the duty of the Centre to cancel his passport as per law. "It is a quest of law and the Centre has to assist the state whether the person involved was Prajwal Revanna or any other," Parameshwar told the media.

A special investigation team (SIT) is probing complaints of sexual abuse of women against Revanna Jr. The first-time MP is seeking reelection from Hassan as an NDA candidate, and fled the country a day after the April 26 polls.


If the MEA were to cancel Revanna Jr's diplomatic passport, it would become impossible for the MP to stay on in a foreign country and would be forced to return, Parameshwara said on Tuesday. He also added that the MEA would have to respond to the state's communication now.

The SIT is probing both complaints of sexual harassment and widespread leaks of explicit videos days ahead of the polls.

On May 18, the special court trying cases involving elected representatives ordered an arrest warrant against Revanna Jr after the SIT made an application seeking the same.

The SIT has moved a step further in efforts to get the MP back in Bengaluru at the earliest after its look out notices and blue corner notice have not led to his return.