MEA Notifies Prajwal Revanna Amid Karnataka's Passport Cancellation Request

Prajwal Revanna, 33, the NDA candidate from Hassan, is facing charges of criminal intimidation and sexual harassment. Allegations of mass sexual abuse have led to the Karnataka government requesting the cancellation of Revanna’s diplomatic passport.

Revanna, a suspended Janata Dal (Secular) leader, travelled to Germany amid the allegations. The external affairs ministry received the Karnataka government's request on Tuesday. The process to revoke his passport was initiated shortly after.

Members of the NSUI held posters of Revanna during a protest in Bengaluru on April 30, condemning his involvement in the alleged sexual abuse case. The process involves giving Revanna a chance to respond to the Karnataka government's request. This is a part of the due process under the Passports Act.

The details of how Revanna was contacted for his response remain undisclosed. The mode of communication could include email. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice this month, urging faster action on Revanna's passport cancellation.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar confirmed on Friday that the ministry received the request to impound Revanna's passport on May 21. The minister explained that impounding a passport requires a judicial court or a police request. The ministry acted promptly upon receiving the request.

Jaishankar responded to accusations from the Congress government in Karnataka that the BJP was protecting Revanna, stating that impounding a passport follows a set procedure. Union minister Pralhad Joshi criticized the Karnataka government for not arresting Revanna before he left India.

Revanna was the NDA candidate from Hassan for the Lok Sabha election. Obscene videos allegedly showing Revanna sexually abusing several women surfaced in April. He travelled to Germany using his diplomatic passport following the emergence of these videos.

The first FIR against Revanna was filed on April 28 after a victim came forward. Three more FIRs of rape have been filed against him since then. On May 18, a Special Court for Public Representatives issued an arrest warrant for Revanna. This was after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the allegations applied for one.

A look out circular and a Blue Corner Notice by Interpol have also been issued against Revanna. He has denied the accusations, claiming the videos are doctored.