New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that suspended JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna, who is facing allegations of sexual abuse, travelled to Germany on a diplomatic passport without seeking political clearance from the Indian ministry.
In a weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “No political clearance was either sought from or issued by MEA in respect to the travel of the said MP to Germany. Obviously, no visa note was issued either. No visa is required for diplomatic passport holders to travel to Germany.”
“The ministry has also not issued any visa note to any other country for the said Member of Parliament,” he added.
On Tuesday, the grandson of former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda was issued a notice by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in a sexual abuse case.
The SIT, formed by Karnataka’s Congress government, also sent a notice to his father and Deve Gowda’s son H.D. Revanna, who is a member of the state assembly. A criminal investigation is underway.
An MP from Hassan, Revanna left the country soon after polls were held in his seat on 26 April, from where he has been renominated as the BJP-JD(S) candidate.
Formerly a Congress ally, the JD(S) joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in September last year.
According to a parliamentary bulletin issued by the Rajya Sabha last January, MPs have to apply for political clearance from the MEA when using diplomatic passports for travel abroad. They also have to seek permission at least three weeks in advance. This is also applicable for private trips in the case of tourism or visiting friends and relatives.
As an MP, Revanna is entitled to a diplomatic passport apart from his normal passport. A diplomatic passport comes with certain privileges, such as immunity from arrest and detention in a host country, and special access to diplomatic channels and services provided by Indian embassies and diplomatic missions abroad.
On Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting that the government cancel Revanna’s diplomatic passport.
When asked about the procedure of revoking a diplomatic passport, the MEA spokesperson referred to the guidelines under the Passport Act, 1967, and said the procedure of revocation could only take place when instructed by a court.
“According to the Passport Act, to revoke a diplomatic passport, the action must come from the court. We have not received any direction from any court on this,” the MEA spokesperson told the media.
“An (SIT) investigation is underway and after the investigation, what needs to be required will be done,” he added.
The JD(S) Tuesday suspended Prajwal Revanna from the party over the sexual abuse allegations after a former domestic help implicated him and his father.
The suspension order said: “Videos of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna allegedly harassing women are widely in circulation on social media and this has caused huge embarrassment to the party and its leadership.”
Noting that the state government had formed an SIT to probe the allegations, the statement added: “In this backdrop, as per JD(S)’ party constitution and rules regarding breach of discipline and punishment, Prajwal Revanna has been suspended with immediate effect.”
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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