'Will appear before SIT on May 31...': Prajwal issues apology
What's the story
Prajwal Revanna, the suspended Janata Dal (Secular) leader who faces allegations of mass sexual abuse and is currently in Germany, has issued a statement apologizing to his parents and vowing to cooperate with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the state government.
"I apologize to my parents...I was in depression. I will come (back to India) and appear before the SIT on May 31," he said.
"I will cooperate...I have full faith in the legal system," he added.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The 33-year-old grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda faces charges of criminal intimidation, sexual harassment, and stalking after thousands of videos surfaced showing him in sexual acts with multiple women.
He left the country on April 26 after videos of him sexually abusing multiple women surfaced—on the day of polling for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.
Notably, Prajwal is the Bharatiya Janata Party led-National Democratic Alliance's candidate from Hassan seat.
Video message
Prajwal apologizes to family, party workers
Prajwal also apologized to his family and party workers.
"I want to apologize to my family members, my Kumaranna [uncle HD Kumaraswamy], and the party workers for not providing proper information about my whereabouts...On April 26...there was no case against me. The SIT wasn't formed. Two or three days after I left, I saw these allegations against me on YouTube. I also wrote to the SIT via my lawyer asking for seven days' time," he said.
Counter claim
'Allegations against me political conspiracy'
Prajwal highlighted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders spoke publicly about his case, calling it a "political conspiracy."
To recall, a Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant against Prajwal on May 18, following an application by the Special Investigation Team.
Interpol has already issued a "Blue Corner Notice" seeking information on his whereabouts, based on a request from the SIT via the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Background
Deve Gowda's stern warning to grandson
His statement comes three days after Deve Gowda, issued a stern warning, urging his grandson to return to India and surrender to the police.
Last week, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the cancellation of Prajwal's diplomatic passport.
MLA HD Revanna—Prajwal's father—is also facing two cases.
One involves the molestation of a cook, who was allegedly raped by Prajwal, and the other involving the kidnapping of a woman.
Revanna is currently out on bail.