New Delhi: Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna traveled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and did not seek political clearance for the trip, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, amid the growing political controversy over his alleged sexual harassment. Many women.
On Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's demand to cancel Revanna's diplomatic passport, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such action can be taken only on the directions of the court.
Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, is said to have left India on April 27, a day after voting for the Lok Sabha elections in his Hassan constituency.
Janata Dal (Secular) has already suspended Hassan MP from the party.
Responding to questions on the MP's alleged visit to Germany in his weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said, "No political clearance was either sought or issued from the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the said MP's visit to Germany.,
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, "Apparently, no visa note was also issued. Diplomatic passport holders do not require any visa to travel to Germany. The Ministry has not issued a visa note for any other country. "
On Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the Prime Minister to take prompt action to cancel Revanna's diplomatic passport, which was used by the JD(S) leader to travel abroad.
When asked whether the Ministry of External Affairs could consider canceling his passport in view of the sexual harassment allegations against him, Jaiswal did not give a direct answer."As far as possible revocation of a person's passport is concerned, I would refer you to the relevant provisions of the Passport Act 1967. A direction must come from the court to revoke the passport. We did not receive any direction from any court In this regard,” he said.
Jaiswal said Revanna traveled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and he did not seek any political clearance for the trip.An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said MPs are entitled to diplomatic passports.
Responding to another question, he said, "The matter is being investigated and we will do whatever is necessary."
Asked whether Revanna used a diplomatic passport for his travel, Jaiswal said, "Yes, he traveled on a diplomatic passport."
The Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the alleged sex scandal involving Revanna.
Revanna and his father and former Karnataka minister HD Revanna were booked by police on Sunday on charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint by a woman who worked in their house.Nearly 3,000 explicit video clips purportedly showing Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulting several women have gone viral in Hassan in recent days.
On Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's demand to cancel Revanna's diplomatic passport, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such action can be taken only on the directions of the court.
Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, is said to have left India on April 27, a day after voting for the Lok Sabha elections in his Hassan constituency.
Janata Dal (Secular) has already suspended Hassan MP from the party.
Responding to questions on the MP's alleged visit to Germany in his weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said, "No political clearance was either sought or issued from the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the said MP's visit to Germany.,
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, "Apparently, no visa note was also issued. Diplomatic passport holders do not require any visa to travel to Germany. The Ministry has not issued a visa note for any other country. "
On Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the Prime Minister to take prompt action to cancel Revanna's diplomatic passport, which was used by the JD(S) leader to travel abroad.
When asked whether the Ministry of External Affairs could consider canceling his passport in view of the sexual harassment allegations against him, Jaiswal did not give a direct answer."As far as possible revocation of a person's passport is concerned, I would refer you to the relevant provisions of the Passport Act 1967. A direction must come from the court to revoke the passport. We did not receive any direction from any court In this regard,” he said.
Jaiswal said Revanna traveled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and he did not seek any political clearance for the trip.An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said MPs are entitled to diplomatic passports.
Responding to another question, he said, "The matter is being investigated and we will do whatever is necessary."
Asked whether Revanna used a diplomatic passport for his travel, Jaiswal said, "Yes, he traveled on a diplomatic passport."
The Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the alleged sex scandal involving Revanna.
Revanna and his father and former Karnataka minister HD Revanna were booked by police on Sunday on charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint by a woman who worked in their house.Nearly 3,000 explicit video clips purportedly showing Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulting several women have gone viral in Hassan in recent days.
