S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, rebuffed accusations of shielding Janata Dal Secular MP Prajwal Revanna on Friday, asserting that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) only received a request from the Karnataka government to impound Revanna’s passport on May 21.
Speaking to ANI, Jaishankar clarified the legal process involved in passport impoundment, stating, “To impound a passport is governed by an act called the Passport Act. We need a judicial court or a police request to do so. The MEA got this request from Karnataka only on May 21.” He added that the MEA promptly initiated the necessary procedures upon receiving the request.
Responding to allegations from the Congress government regarding BJP’s involvement, Jaishankar emphasized, “They did not take the first step. I mean, he’s not the first case where impounding a passport is taking place.”
This revelation comes after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urgently called for the cancellation of Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport and efforts to ensure his return to India. Revanna, the 33-year-old grandson of Deve Gowda, faces serious allegations of sexually abusing women, including rape, sexual assault, and other offenses. He departed for Germany on April 27, the day after elections in Hassan, and remains at large, prompting Interpol to issue a Blue Corner Notice seeking information on his whereabouts.
In a recent development, former Prime Minister and JDS patriarch HD Deve Gowda issued a stern warning to his grandson, urging him to return to India and surrender to the legal process. In a letter, Gowda expressed dismay over Revanna’s actions and emphasized that he should face the consequences if found guilty.
The situation surrounding Prajwal Revanna’s case continues to unfold, with authorities and family members urging his cooperation with legal proceedings.