‘No Political Clearance Sought, Can’t Revoke His Passport Unless…’: MEA on Prajwal Revanna

New Delhi: In a press briefing addressing the recent controversy surrounding JD(S) Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is embroiled in a sexual abuse case, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that “no visa or political clearance was required for Revanna's travel to Germany.” Responding to questions from the media regarding Revanna's overseas trip, the MEA stated, “No visa is required for diplomatic passport holders to travel to Germany. No political clearance either sought from or issued by us in respect of travel of said MP to Germany.”

Revanna, the JD(S) Hassan MP and grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has faced allegations of sexual misconduct. 

"No political clearance was either sought from or issued by MEA in respect of the travel of the said MP to Germany," the ministry said. 

Revanna and his father H D Revanna, former Karnataka minister, were booked by police on Sunday on charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint from a woman, who worked in their household. Nearly 3,000 explicit video clips allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna sexually abusing several women have gone viral in Hassan in recent days. 

MEA considering revocation of Revanna’s passport? 

"Obviously, no visa note was issued either. No visa is required for diplomatic passport holders to travel to Germany. The Ministry has not issued visa note for any other country," the MEA spokesperson said.

Asked about whether the MEA may consider revocation of his passport in view of the allegations of sexual harassment against him, Jaiswal did not give a direct reply.

"As regards the possible revocation of the passport of any individual, I would refer you to the relevant provisions of the Passport Act 1967. We are not in receipt of any directions from any court in this regard," he said.

"The matter is being investigated and we will be doing whatever is needed to be done," he said in reply to another question.

The government of Karnataka has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations against Revanna.

In the lates, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the prime minister to take swift action to cancel the diplomatic passport of Revanna that the JD(S) leader used to travel abroad.

All About Sex Videos Case Involving Prajwal Revanna 

Prajwal Revanna, 33-year-old grandson of JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, was the NDA candidate in the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, which went to polls on April 26. JDS is contesting the elections in alliance with the BJP in the state.  

Revanna is currently embroiled in an alleged sex scandal as many sex videos allegedly featuring him with multiple women have been doing the rounds in recent days.  

Karnataka government on Sunday constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe an alleged sex scandal involving Revanna. The SIT is headed by Additional Director General of Police (CID) Bijay Kumar Singh. The other two are Assistant Inspector General of Police Suman D Pennekar and Mysuru Superintendent of Police Seema Latkar. 

Revanna escaped to Germany shortly after polling in the first phase of elections in the state got over on April 26. He is the sitting MP from Hassan and has been fielded by the NDA in this Lok Sabha elections. Following the allegations, Janata Dal Secular has suspended Revanna from the party till the enquiry is over.