MEA processes cancellation of Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport

Hassan MP and JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna. | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Ministry of External Affairs has received a request from the Karnataka government to cancel the diplomatic passport of alleged sex offender Prajwal Revanna and the matter is currently being “addressed”, an official source said on Thursday.

Confirmation was communicated to The Hindu after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking cancellation of the passport of Hassan MP and JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna.

“MEA has received a letter from the Karnataka government for cancellation of the diplomatic passport of MP Prajwal Revanna. This is being processed,” the source told The Hindu.

Mr Revanna gained notoriety after hundreds of pornographic videos were released showing him forcing himself on women of varying ages.

According to reports, Mr Revanna left the country after the scandal broke using a diplomatic passport.

The MEA had previously indicated that a passport can be revoked if a required court order is obtained in this regard from a court.

“As far as revocation of a person’s diplomatic passport is concerned, that comes under the Passport Act, 1967. And according to its provisions, a direction must come from the court. Only then can it be revoked,” official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on May 2 at an official press briefing.