Prajwal departed from the country shortly after the second phase of elections on April 26, during which his constituency Hassan participated in voting. This move was prompted by the emerging controversy following the circulation of several videos allegedly showing the MP involved in sexual assaults on women.
In response, the Karnataka government established an SIT to look into the allegations and also approached the Centre to request the cancellation of Prajwal’s diplomatic passport.
A month following his vanishing, Prajwal published a purported video on Monday, declaring his intention to participate in the inquiry and appear before the SIT on Friday, May 21 at 10 am. “I have faith in the judiciary, and I am confident that I will be absolved of false cases, through court,” Prajwal said.
HD Deve Gowda, Prajwal’s grandfather and former prime minister, delivered a strong message, urging Prajwal to come back to India and address the investigations into the special abuse allegations. “I have only one course of action now; I can strongly caution Prajwal and urge him to come back from his current location and present himself to the authorities. He must comply with the legal proceedings,” Deve Gowda stated.
“I assure there will be no interference in the inquiry from me or my family. My focus is solely on justice for those affected by his alleged actions,” he added.
During a significant political turmoil in Karnataka related to a sex scandal involving his father’s arrest and his party suspension, the Ministry of External Affairs responded to the state government’s plea by issuing a show-cause notice to Prajwal. This notice questions why his diplomatic passport should remain valid.
