Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has alleged that Janata Dal(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda helped Prajwal Revanna, a Lok Sabha candidate accused of sexual abuse, in fleeing the country. Revanna left India on April 27 for Germany after the government established a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the claims against him.
Siddaramaiah asserts that Gowda played a role in Revanna’s departure and questions whether his family was unaware of his decision. “According to me it was he (Deve Gowda) who sent him away, all this is for public consumption,” the Karnataka CM was quoted as saying. He also questioned if Revanna left the country without informing anyone.
The Chief Minister’s claim comes amid ongoing political turmoil in the state, with H D Kumaraswamy, Revanna’s uncle and former Chief Minister, threatening not to test his patience any further. Siddaramaiah also accused Kumaraswamy of trying to dilute the rape and sexual offence charges against his nephew by “talking gibberish” against Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and others.
“We have got all confidence in the SIT. The SIT is formed for a dedicated investigation into the case,” Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying by PTI, dismissing Kumaraswamy’s apprehension that the case will not reach its logical conclusion.
Meanwhile, sources have confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is processing the Karnataka government’s request to cancel Revanna’s diplomatic passport. Following a request by the SIT, Interpol has already issued a ‘Blue Corner Notice’ seeking information on Revanna’s whereabouts.
Earlier this month, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Revanna traveled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and did not seek political clearance for the trip.
