Bengaluru: Weeks after Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna found himself embroiled in a sex tape controversy and went abroad, he remains elusive as authorities are engaged in gathering information about his whereabouts and bring him back to the country. His last known location was in Germany.

While speaking exclusively to Republic Media, JDU leader and Prajwal Revanna’s uncle HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said that he asked him to return and face the action of the SIT.

While responding to a question whether his family members tried getting in touch with the absconding MP, he said, “No, we have patiently waited. Yesterday, I personally requested Prajwal in front of our media friends.”

Citing his message for Prajwal, Kumaraswamy said, “Wherever you are, immediately come back to India and face the enquiry by the SIT and give cooperation. Don’t waste your time as it will not be useful to you. Why are you worried about all these things if you have not done anything wrong. You come and face the SIT. Real truth has to come. Whatever issue is there, you discuss with the SIR officers.”

HDK added, “We requested that if he respects our party workers, if he respects my father, he must come back and face the situation.”

The JDU leader said “whatever decision the judiciary takes if he is found guilty, he has to face it. If he has done any wrong thing and it is proved then he has to bow his head for our judicial system.” 

Kumaraswamy also accused the Congress of bringing this issue forward to stop the NDA from getting a huge number in the elections and tarnishing the party’s image.

He said, “This government has been disturbed since we are in an alliance with BJP. Congress wanted our alliance to be destroyed and also our family. They made a conspiracy 5 days before the elections. After the pen drive was released, CM attacked the honourable PM and Union Home minister. Congress demanded the Union Home minister and questioned him when the NDA will leave out JDS from the alliance. Congress brought this issue to stop NDA from getting a huge number in the elections and tarnish the image.”

Justice for Victims Priority: HDK

The JDU leader demanded a CBI enquiry into the case. “My first demand for the government is that whoever has done this should be punished. The way SIT is functioning there's no progress. My personal request to the PM and Union HM is to take this issue seriously. I demand a CBI enquiry. My request is that this case should be handed over to the CBI and the victims will get justice. The SIT is also not looking into the distribution of pen drives. These people who distributed pen drives revealed the identities of the women. The main person in the distribution of pen drives is DK Shivakumar. I request the central government to take severe action.”

HDK on Shivakumar’s Alleged Role in Conspiracy

While speaking on DK Shivakumar’s alleged role in this conspiracy, Kumaraswamy said that former MP Shivarame Gowda was heard saying that DKS would protect Devaraje Gowda, who is believed to have circulated the sex tapes.

He said, “In an audio tape, Devaraje Gowda expressed that the sections will not stand in this case. DK Shivakumar replied stating that wait for sometime and with great effort we have got 2-3 women and have taken a letter from them. In the audio tape, Shivarame Gowda has assured Devaraje Gowda that DK Shivakumar will protect him. Shivaramegowda also said that the government will finish off Deve Gowda family. Even after this CM is asking for evidence. This government is desperately trying to finish off the Devegowda family and also finish off the BJP-JDS alliance. The Congress party knows that our alliance will secure over 20 seats and therefore doing all of this.”

“They (Congress) think I'm a threat to the government. Their main agenda is to tarnish the image of PM Modi," he added.

Kumaraswamy alleged that their phones are being tapped. He added, “Some sections of the home department who are our well wishers have said that don't talk with anybody. They also state that our phones are being tapped and 45 phones are being tapped.”

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara asserted there were no lapses on the part of the government in handling cases relating to the alleged sexual abuse of women by Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna and that the Special Investigation Team was probing them from all angles.
He also rubbished the opposition parties' allegations about the collapse of law and order in Karnataka and defended the state police, saying they have "done well."  

He said a court has issued an arrest warrant against Prajwal Revanna following which the state government has written to the Centre urging it to cancel his diplomatic passport. 

Prajwal (33) is the grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former PM H D Deve Gowda and is the NDA's candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women. The cases came to light after a number of explicit videos allegedly involving him were leaked. 

Prajwal reportedly left for Germany on April 27, a day after Hassan went to polls, and is still at large. Interpol has also issued a Blue Corner Notice seeking information on his whereabouts.