The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) received a request to impound the passport of suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna on May 21, and has swiftly initiated the necessary procedures, announced External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Friday. Addressing inquiries regarding the cancellation of Revanna's passport, Dr. Jaishankar explained the legal framework and steps taken by the MEA.

"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," Dr. Jaishankar stated. "We immediately acted on it. On 23rd of May… we have to follow certain procedures, and the procedure is initiated."

Dr. Jaishankar's statement coincides with reports that the MEA has issued a show-cause notice to Prajwal Revanna, questioning why his diplomatic passport should not be cancelled, as requested by the Karnataka government. This action follows serious allegations of sexual abuse against the JD(S) leader.

Sources familiar with the matter revealed to India TV that the show-cause notice was served on Prajwal Revanna as part of the process to cancel his passport. Revanna is believed to have fled to Germany shortly after the release of alleged sex tapes. The show-cause notice was reportedly sent via email.

A source elaborated on the potential consequences if Revanna's diplomatic passport is impounded. "If the passport is cancelled, then Prajwal's stay abroad will be illegal, and he may face legal action by concerned authorities in the country he is staying," the source explained.