MEA sends show cause notice to Prajwal Revanna asking why his diplomatic passport should not be canceled

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a show cause notice to suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, asking why his diplomatic passport should not be canceled as requested by the Karnataka government in view of the allegations of sexual abuse against him, people familiar with the matter said Friday.

Official sources said on Thursday that the MEA was processing the Karnataka government’s request to cancel Prajwal’s diplomatic passport. He is currently in Germany.

The show cause notice was served to Prajwal as part of the process initiated to cancel his passport, the people cited above said.

It is learned that the show cause notice was served via email.

Prajwal, grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, is at the center of a massive sexual abuse case and MP Hassan left India on April 27, a day after voting in the Lok elections Sabha in his constituency.

It is learned that the MEA is undertaking the process of canceling Prajwal’s diplomatic passport under the provisions of the Passport Act, 1967 as well as related regulations.

If the passport is cancelled, Prajwal’s stay abroad will be illegal and he may face legal action from the relevant authorities of the country he is staying in, a person familiar with the matter said.

On Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote a second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to take “prompt and necessary” steps to cancel Prajwal’s diplomatic passport.

The chief minister sent a similar letter to the Prime Minister on May 1.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Karnataka government to probe the sexual abuse allegations against Prajwal has written to the MEA to cancel his diplomatic passport after an arrest warrant was issued. issued against him by a local court.

A “Blue Corner Notice” requesting information on Revanna’s whereabouts has already been issued by Interpol following a request from the SIT.

Earlier this month, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Prajwal had traveled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and had not sought political permission for the trip.

“No political permission was sought or issued by the MEA regarding the travel of the said MP to Germany,” Jaiswal had said.

“Clearly, no visa note has been issued either. No visa is required for diplomatic passport holders to travel to Germany. The ministry has not issued any visa note for any other country “, said the MEA spokesperson.

Prajwal’s father HD Revanna, a former Karnataka minister, has also been charged with sexual harassment and criminal intimidation. He is currently out on bail.