Karnataka sex abuse case: Jaishankar says MEA got request to impound Prajwal Revanna's passport only on May 21

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday (May 24), reacting to the Karnataka obscene video case, revealed that the MEA received a request to impound Prajwal Revanna's passport only on May 21.

The JDS MP from Hassan has been absconding after being allegedly accused of sexual harassment by a woman who worked in his household. Reportedly, he fled to Germany in April.

He is facing a probe by a Special Investigative Team (SIT) constituted by the Karnataka government over the serious allegations levelled against him.

"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," said Jaishankar in a chat with news agency ANI.

He further stated that the government had immediately acted upon receiving the request and that the process had been initiated.

"We immediately acted on it. On 23rd of May... we have to follow a certain procedure and the procedure is initiated," he added.

Reacting to the Congress government's accusations alleging that the BJP - which is in an electoral alliance with JD (S) in Karnataka- was shielding Revanna, Jaishankar said, "They did not take the first step... I mean, he's not the first case where impounding a passport is taking place."

Deve Gowda issues 'stern warning' to grandson Prajwal Revanna to return to India

Jaishankar's remarks come a day after former Indian prime minister and JD (S) party supremo HD Deve Gowda issued a stern warning to his grandson Revanna, asking him to return to India and face the law.

Gowda shared a statement on his official X handle that asked Revanna to surrender before the police.

He also said that if found guilty, his grandson should not be spared and be given the harshest punishment under the law.

I have issued a warning to @iPrajwalRevanna to return immediately from wherever he is and subject himself to the legal process. He should not test my patience any further. pic.twitter.com/kCMuNJOvAo — H D Deve Gowda (@H_D_Devegowda) May 23, 2024

"At this juncture, I can do only one thing; I can issue a stern warning to Prajwal and ask him to return from wherever he is and surrender before the police. He should subject himself to the legal process," the former Indian prime minister said in a statement.

He then clarified that it was "not an appeal that I am making, it is a warning that I am issuing".

"If he does not heed this warning, he will have to face my anger and anger of all his family members. The law will take care of the accusations against him, but not listening to the family will ensure his total isolation. If he has any respect left for me, he has to return immediately," Gowda said.

(With inputs from agencies)