Prajwal Revanna Accused Of Sex Harassment, Left India Without A Visa
Diplomatic Passport and Visa Exemption: Understanding Prajwal Revanna’s Case
Diplomatic passports, easily recognizable by their maroon covers, grant holders specific privileges and immunities under international law. These passports are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and are provided to individuals with diplomatic status, government appointees for official business abroad, senior officers of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) at Joint Secretary rank and above, family members of IFS and MEA officers, as well as selected individuals like union ministers and MPs on official government travel. The validity of diplomatic passports is typically tied to the term of the holder’s office, lasting up to five years.
In the case of Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, his departure from India despite facing a sexual abuse investigation has raised questions about diplomatic immunity. India’s visa exemption agreement with Germany, established in 2011, allows Indian diplomatic passport holders to travel to Germany visa-free for up to 90 days. However, even with this exemption, individuals with diplomatic passports are still required to obtain prior political clearance for private visits abroad.
Cancelling a Diplomatic Passport: Legal Processes and Considerations
The call by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to cancel Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport highlights the legal procedures involved. Under the Passport Act 1967, the passport authority can revoke a diplomatic passport under specific circumstances such as wrongful possession, national interests, conviction leading to imprisonment of two years or more post-issuance, or court orders during criminal proceedings against the holder.
Diplomats benefit from various immunities, including protection from arrest and prosecution, tax exemptions, and privileges related to diplomatic premises and baggage. The Karnataka government’s issuance of a Blue Corner Notice against Prajwal Revanna, who is reportedly in Germany, signifies a step towards international cooperation in the ongoing investigation.
Blue Corner Notice: Interpol’s Tool for International Cooperation
A Blue Corner Notice is part of Interpol’s colour-coded notices system, facilitating global sharing of alerts and information requests among member countries. These notices serve as international requests for cooperation or alerts, enabling police agencies worldwide to exchange crucial crime-related information. The Blue notice specifically aims to gather additional details about a person’s identity, location, or activities in a criminal investigation.
In Prajwal Revanna’s case, the Blue Corner Notice would aid investigating agencies in gathering essential information to further their inquiries against him.
