Did Prajwal Revanna Flee To Germany Using Diplomatic Passport? What Is A Diplomatic Passport?

Suspended JDS leader and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, embroiled in an alleged sex scandal, has reportedly fled the country on a diplomatic passport to evade arrest. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged sex video case, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to take necessary steps to bring Revanna back to face investigation.

Siddaramaiah has also appealed to PM Modi to cancel Revanna's diplomatic passport and employ diplomatic and police channels, as well as International Police agencies, to ensure the swift return of the absconding Member of Parliament to face legal proceedings.

A diplomatic passport, also known as a 'Type D' passport, is issued to Indian diplomats, government officials, and select individuals authorized to undertake official travel on behalf of the government. It is distinctively maroon in color compared to the blue cover of an ordinary passport. Diplomatic passports contain 28 pages and are issued for a period of five years or less.

Applications for diplomatic/official passports are typically entertained at the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi. Individuals eligible for diplomatic passports include those with diplomatic status, Indian government-appointed individuals traveling for official business, officers under the Indian Foreign Services, and relatives of officers employed in the Indian Foreign Service and the Ministry of External Affairs traveling overseas for various purposes.

Diplomatic passport holders are entitled to certain privileges and immunities as per international law, including immunity from arrest, detention, and certain legal proceedings in the host country. They also benefit from expedited visa processes and access to diplomatic services provided by Indian embassies and consulates worldwide.

BJP leader and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, embroiled in an alleged sex scandal, has reportedly fled the country on a diplomatic passport to evade arrest. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged sex video case, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the Ministry of External Affairs to take necessary steps to bring Revanna back to face investigation.

Siddaramaiah has also appealed to PM Modi to cancel Revanna's diplomatic passport and employ diplomatic and police channels, as well as International Police agencies, to ensure the swift return of the absconding Member of Parliament to face legal proceedings.

What is diplomatic passport?

A diplomatic passport, also known as a 'Type D' passport, is issued to Indian diplomats, government officials, and select individuals authorized to undertake official travel on behalf of the government. It is distinctively maroon in color compared to the blue cover of an ordinary passport. Diplomatic passports contain 28 pages and are issued for a period of five years or less.

Eligibility:

Applications for diplomatic/official passports are typically entertained at the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi. Individuals eligible for diplomatic passports include those with diplomatic status, Indian government-appointed individuals traveling for official business, officers under the Indian Foreign Services, and relatives of officers employed in the Indian Foreign Service and the Ministry of External Affairs traveling overseas for various purposes.

Diplomatic passport holders are entitled to certain privileges and immunities as per international law, including immunity from arrest, detention, and certain legal proceedings in the host country. They also benefit from expedited visa processes and access to diplomatic services provided by Indian embassies and consulates worldwide.

Are MPs Required to Obtain Political Clearance for Travel Abroad Using Diplomatic Passports?

The rule for Members of Parliament (MPs) regarding the use of diplomatic passports mandates that they must apply for prior political clearance directly to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before traveling abroad. This clearance can be obtained through the website www.epolclearance.gov.in, and requests should be made at least three weeks in advance. The rule applies to private visits, such as tourism or visiting friends or family. For official visits, political clearance from the MEA is required. However, a diplomatic passport should not be used for private business trips.

A private visit refers to a foreign visit by an MP in their personal capacity for private business affairs, such as participating in seminars or conferences. It is essential to ensure that activities during these visits do not give the impression that the MP is on an official visit on behalf of the Indian Parliament.

Diplomatic passports for MPs are issued by the MEA's Consular, Passport & Visa Division.

Revocation of a passport

The Passport Act allows the passport authority to cancel a passport or travel document with the previous approval of the Central government. A passport can be impounded or revoked if it is believed to be in wrongful possession, obtained through the suppression of material information, or on the basis of wrong information provided by the individual. It can also be revoked if the passport holder has been issued a court order prohibiting departure from India or has been summoned by court.

In a related context, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi surrendered his diplomatic passport, which was issued to him after his disqualification as an MP under the Representation of the People Act. He was disqualified in March last year after being convicted by a Surat court in a criminal defamation case. Following his disqualification, he surrendered his diplomatic passport and applied for an ordinary one.

The alleged sex scandal involving BJP leader and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna came to light when thousands of pen drives containing sex videos purportedly of him surfaced online two days before polling in Hassan on April 26. Following a complaint by the state women's commission, an SIT was formed to probe the allegations against him. Among the victims, a house help of Prajwal Revanna filed an FIR against him and his father, HD Revanna, accusing them of sexual assault.

As the investigation into the sexual assault and harassment allegations began, the SIT summoned both Prajwal Revanna and his father. While HD Revanna sought four days, Prajwal Revanna stated in a statement that he was not in Bengaluru to attend the investigation.