The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is currently processing a request from the Karnataka government to cancel the diplomatic passport of MP Prajwal Revanna, who faces charges of sexual abuse, sources revealed on Thursday.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara announced on Tuesday that the state government had formally requested the MEA to revoke the diplomatic passport of the Hassan MP. This request follows the issuance of an arrest warrant by a court. “MEA has received a letter from the Karnataka government for cancellation of diplomatic passport in respect of MP Prajwal Revanna. This is being processed,” sources told News18.

Prajwal Revanna, 33, the grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, and the NDA’s candidate from the Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is accused of multiple instances of sexually abusing women. He reportedly left for Germany on April 27, a day after the Hassan constituency went to the polls, and remains at large.

“CM (Chief Minister) has already written to the Prime Minister, but the department (Home) writing it in accordance with law is different. Warrant has been issued now, on the basis of the warrant, a letter has been written stating that — warrant has been issued and the diplomatic passport has to be cancelled,” Parameshwara explained. Speaking to reporters, he said that if the passport is canceled, it will become impossible for Prajwal to remain in a foreign country, forcing him to return to India.

“We have written to the Ministry of External Affairs as matters related to passports come under them, they will have to respond to it,” Parameshwara added. A Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant against Prajwal Revanna on Saturday, following an application by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the state government to investigate the serial sexual abuse charges against the MP.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier, on May 1, written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging swift action by the MEA and Home Affairs to cancel Prajwal’s diplomatic passport. Additionally, Interpol has issued a ‘Blue Corner Notice’ seeking information on Prajwal’s whereabouts at the request of the SIT through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Responding to a question about JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s appeal for Prajwal Revanna, who is also his nephew, to return to India and face the investigation, Parameshwara stated, “I have seen it in the media, it is their family’s internal matter, let him (Prajwal) come and face the law.”