The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has received a letter from the Karnataka government for the cancellation of the diplomatic passport of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, accused in ‘obscene videos’ case.
The letter has been sent by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he urged the PM to undertake “prompt and concerted actions to secure Revanna’s return to India.”
Sources to News18 said the cancellation of the diplomatic passport of Revanna is “being processed” by the MEA.
Where has Revanna fled?
As per reports, Revanna, who has been fielded by Janata Dal (Secular) from Karnataka’s Hassan Lok Sabah seat in the 2024 general elections, fled to Germany on April 27, the day after voting in the constituency. He used his diplomatic passport to leave the country.
According to Congress leader Siddaramaiah, Revanna fled from India soon after the news of “heinous actions emerged and just a few hours before the first case was filed against him.”
Revanna, grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda and son of Karnataka MLA HD Revanna, is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women.
Explicit videos allegedly of Revanna sexually abusing several women went viral in Hassan last month, after which the Karnataka government constituted a team to investigate the crime allegedly involving the JDS lawmaker.
What Siddramaiah’s letter to PM Modi on Revanna says?
In a letter dated May 22, Siddaramaiah said, “The grave series of incidents by Revanna have not only shocked the conscience of the people of the State of Karnataka, but have also caused a nationwide concern.”
The Karnataka CM said the JDS MP “fled the country using his diplomatic visa shortly after news of his heinous actions emerged and just few hours before the first FIR was filed against him.”
“He has abused his diplomatic privileges to flee the country and to escape criminal proceedings,” the Congress leader said.
“It is a matter of serious concern that the accused Prajwal Revanna has managed to remain in hiding to this day despite the issue of a Look Out Circular, a Blue Corner Notice and two notices by the Investigating Officer under section 41A CrPC. The FIR against Prajwal Revanna contains charges in the nature of rape, sexual assault, disrobing women and forcibly video-graphing sexual acts in order to threaten the victims,” the letter read.
“Needless to emphasise that such abuse of privileges and deliberate acts of non-cooperation with the legal proceedings deserves serious action by the Central Government or it’s instrumentalities so as to secure the presence of the accused to face investigation and trial,” Siddaramaiah said.
“I urge you kindly consider this matter with utmost seriousness and take prompt and necessary actions to cancel the diplomatic passport of Prajwal Revanna, under Section 10(3)(h) of the Passport Act, 1967 or under any other relevant law and secure his return to the country in the interest of public,” the Karnataka CM requested PM Modi in the letter.
What is diplomatic visa and how Revanna got it?
Diplomatic passports, also known as ‘Type D’ passports, are issued by the MEA. They are different from regular passports and have a shorter validity, typically five years or less.
They are issued only to the individuals in specific categories:
1 – People with diplomatic status.
2 – Government-appointed individuals on official business
3 – Senior officers of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) at Joint Secretary rank and above
4 – Relatives and immediate family of IFS and MEA officers
5 – Selected individuals authorised for official government travel, such as Union ministers and MPs.
Diplomatic passport holders enjoy certain privileges and immunities, including protection from arrest, detention, and some legal proceedings abroad. But, this will no longer be enjoyed by Revanna after the MEA cancels his passport.
Diplomatic premises and bags of the passport holder are protected, and diplomats typically live tax-free. They also benefit from separate entrances at airports.
Applications for diplomatic visa should ideally be made three weeks in advance and political clearance is mandatory if a holder is travelling to any international country.
What you need to do to get diplomatic passport?
To get a diplomatic passport, approved individuals need to submit forms, photos, and relevant clearances. The necessary documents include political or PMO clearance, identity proof, and a safe custody certificate if the applicant’s ordinary passport is retained by their department.
Also, unlike dark blue covers of normal passports, diplomatic passports have maroon covers.
Earlier in May, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said, “No political clearance was either sought from or issued by MEA in respect of the travel of the said MP to Germany. Obviously, no visa note was issued either.”
Germany is among the 34 countries with whom India has operational visa exemption agreements for holders of diplomatic passports.
Who can revoke a diplomatic passport?
The government can revoke Prajwal’s diplomatic passport only after a court order to that effect. “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,” Jaiswal had said.
As per the Act, the passport authority may impound or revoke a passport if the holder is in wrongful possession, or if it was obtained by the suppression of material information; or if the passport authority deems it necessary so to do in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, or friendly relations of India with any foreign country.
Diplomatic passports can also be revoked if the holder has, after the issue of the passport, been convicted by a court in India. They can also be revoked upon orders from a court during proceedings with respect to an offence allegedly carried out by the passport holder before a criminal court.
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