The Karnataka Police booked Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna on rape charges on May 2, and issued a lookout circular against the “absconding” MP a day after he failed to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is probing his alleged sexual crimes.
His father and former Minister H.D. Revanna, who also skipped the SIT summons, approached a court in Bengaluru seeking anticipatory bail.
Also read: Prajwal Revanna seeks 7 days to appear before SIT
The charges against the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda were filed after a second woman filed a complaint that she was “coerced to have sexual relationship” with him. Based on the complaint, Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, that deals with rape, has been invoked against the MP.
He has previously been booked for sexual harassment on the basis of another woman’s complaint on April 28. His father is also named in the first case. According to sources, a new FIR was filed on May 2 evening against Mr. Revanna for kidnap. He allegedly played a role in abducting one of the victims of Mr. Prajwal, they added.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said a second victim had come forward and lodged a complaint against Mr. Prajwal. The Minister also appealed to other victims, especially those who were allegedly featured in explicit videos which are being circulated through social media, to come forward and make statements before the SIT. He said the government would ensure their safety and protect their identity.
The MP is believed to have left the country using his diplomatic passport on April 27, a day after the elections. He is now believed to be in Germany.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cancel his diplomatic passport and bring him back to “face the full force of law.”
In view of the lookout circular, Mr. Prajwal will be detained as soon as he reports at any of the immigration points at airports, sea ports, or at border checkposts. SIT sources said his return ticket has been booked for May 15. An advocate claiming to represent the Hassan MP had sought seven days’ time for his client to present himself before the SIT.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson A. Randhir Jaiswal said that they were not approached for “political clearance”; nor did the Ministry issue any clearance for enabling foreign travel by Mr. Prajwal. “No political clearance was either sought from or issued by the MEA in respect of the travel of the said MP to Germany. Obviously, no visa note was issued either. No visa is required for diplomatic passport holders to travel to Germany,” he said.
The Hassan MP has now been suspended by the Janata Dal (Secular). He is seeking re-election from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency where he is pitted against Congress nominee Shreyas Patel.
