MEA sends show cause notice to Prajwal Revanna regarding cancellation of passport

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a show cause notice to Prajwal Revanna, a suspended JD(S) MP, questioning the validity of his diplomatic passport. The action follows a request from the Karnataka government, which is investigating allegations of sexual abuse against Revanna.

Sources confirmed on Thursday that the MEA was considering the Karnataka government’s request to revoke Revanna’s diplomatic passport. Revanna is currently believed to be in Germany.

The show cause notice, delivered by email, is part of the procedure for revoking one’s passport. Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, is implicated in a major sexual abuse case. He left India on April 27, the day after his constituency voted in the Lok Sabha elections.

The MEA is reportedly in the process of canceling passports under the Passport Act, 1967 and associated regulations. If her passport is revoked, Revanna’s stay abroad could be considered illegal, which could lead to legal repercussions in her host country.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has twice written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to expedite the cancellation of Revanna’s diplomatic passport. The first letter was sent on May 1.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up by the Karnataka government to probe the sexual abuse allegations against Revanna, has asked the MEA to cancel her diplomatic passport following the issuance of a warrant judgment by a local court.

Interpol has already issued a ‘Blue Corner Notice’ to gather information on Revanna’s whereabouts at the request of the SIT.

Earlier this month, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Revanna had traveled to Germany using his diplomatic passport without seeking political permission.

Jaiswal clarified that no visa note was issued as diplomatic passport holders do not need a visa to travel to Germany.

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