The sudden release of a video by Hassan sex scandal accused Prajwal Revanna on May 27, where he says he will appear before the Special Investigation Team of the Karnataka government this week, to prove his innocence, has added to the intrigue surrounding this case.

The incumbent Member of Parliament from Hassan, had reportedly fled to Germany a month ago, following the release of multiple video clips allegedly showing his involvement in the scandal . His ‘escape’ also coincided with the conclusion of polling in the first phase of elections to the Lok Sabha on April 26, in the state. Prajwal has contested as a Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) candidate from the constituency, as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being the senior partner.

After remaining incognito for over a month the accused MP broke his silence through the three-minute video. He claimed that he had “gone into depression” following the allegations against him. He also claimed that there were attempts by the Congress to defame him”. According to Revanna he learnt about these attempts “from his Instagram and the YouTube channels”.

Promising “full cooperation” Revanna has now claimed that he was innocent and will respond to the charges against him, adding that he had full faith in the judiciary.

However, his willingness to cooperate with the probe agency after remaining away for over a month, has fuelled speculation about the MP’s sudden “change of heart.”

More so, as the arrest warrant issued by the Special Court for Elected Representatives against him, and the Centre’s decision to issue a Blue Corner notice earlier, had not yielded any positive results.

However, it was learnt that Revanna’s decision could have been prompted by the Centre’s indication to the state that its request to cancel his Diplomatic Passport, may be considered. Perhaps, it is that possibility, along with the embarrassment that Revanna’s immediate family is facing, that led to him releasing this video.

In the event that his Diplomatic Passport is cancelled, Revanna will not be able to stay abroad. Even legal and related immunities would be denied to the incumbent MP in the event this privilege is withdrawn.

Analysts believe that it is the possibility of facing this predicament that could have forced Revanna to review his decision of staying away from the country till things cool down.

Yet another reason for the sudden turn of events could be the pressure from his own family, including his grandfather Deve Gowda who dotes on him. In fact, a few days ago, the former Prime Minister had urged Revanna to return and submit himself to the legal process. This also indicated the pressure on Prajwal’s father, H. D. Revanna, his uncle and former Chief Minister, H. D. Kumaraswamy, has been mounting.

Sources close to the JD-S claim that the Gowdas are finding it increasingly difficult to ward off criticism and allegations that Prajwal could not have left the country without their knowledge. The charge is that it was virtually impossible for the family to be “unaware of Prajwal whereabouts.”

The alleged sex scandal involving Prajwal, is proving embarrassing for the Gowdas even though the MP had got an injunction against the release of some videos a few years ago after people who claimed to possess the clips,had threatened to make them public.

Meanwhile, in his video, Prajwal claimed that his visit abroad was pre-planned which is why he had to leave immediately on the night the polling ended. “When I left the country there was no case against me. Neither had the SIT been formed. I learnt about the case after four days of my stay abroad while watching news on YouTube. Subsequently, SIT filed a notice against me, leading to my seeking a week’s time to appear before it,through one of my advocates.

“I went into depression and isolation after many Congressmen, including Rahul Gandhi, started discussing the issue on an open platform. The cases against me have been planned meticulously by my opponents as I have been growing strong politically,” Prajwal said in his video message.

Meanwhile, after the release of Prajwal’s video, Karnataka Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, said that “the SIT will arrest the accused and interrogate him , the minute he lands in the country on May 31.

According to him, investigations will be conducted based on the information and documents available with the probe agency. Parameshwara added that “this type of incident was unique to the state”.

However, it would be possible only if Prajwal keeps his word and returns on the due date. Earlier, he had not returned even after stating that he would be back within seven days.

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