Karnataka Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar accused BJP MLC CT Ravi of verbal abuse inside the legislative council. Following her complaint, Belagavi Police filed an FIR and arrested Ravi during a protest on Thursday evening.
Published Dec 20, 2024 | 5:49 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 20, 2024 | 5:49 PM
A screengrab from a video of Belagavi Police taking accused and BJP MLC CT Ravi to the 5th JMFC court in Belagavi on Friday.
After a night in jail for allegedly abusing Karnataka’s minister for Women and Child Development, Laxmi Hebbalkar, BJP MLC CT Ravi was granted interim bail by the High Court.
The interim relief came even as the 5th Judicial Magistrate of First Class (JMFC) Court transferred the case to the Special Court for People’s Representatives. The Karnataka State Police escorted BJP MLC CT Ravi to Bengaluru on Friday, 20 Decemeber.
The Belagavi Police presented CT Ravi before the 5th JMFC Court in Belagavi. Judge Sparsha M D’Souza observed that since the accused is a public representative, the case does not fall under their jurisdiction and ordered it to be transferred to the special court in Bengaluru.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar, accusing CT Ravi of verbally abusing her at the legislative council on the last day of the winter session on Thursday. Ravi is accused of using derogatory words repeatedly to defame the minister.
Following Hebbalkar’s complaint, the Belagavi Police registered an FIR and arrested CT Ravi while he was protesting outside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha against the Congress on Thursday evening. He alleged false accusations were being levelled against him.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s Karnataka unit has strongly criticised the police action against their senior leader, staging statewide protests against the Congress government in response. A video of the incident from inside the Council, however, captures the alleged derogatory abuse.
Belagavi’s 5th JMFC court Judge Sparsha M D’Souza has transferred the BJP MLC CT Ravi’s case to the Special Court for Peoples Representatives at the district court on Friday.
Earlier, Supreme Court advocate MN Zirali, appearing on behalf of CT Ravi, sought bail for the accused. However, the court transferred the case to Bengaluru without addressing the bail plea.
BJP’s Karnataka unit president and MLA BY Vijayendra and Legislative Assembly’s Opposition Leader R Ashoka were present in the court.
Defense Attorney Raviraj Patil told reporters, “The investigating officer submitted a requisition requesting that the FIR be transferred to the MP/MLA court in Bengaluru.”
#Karnataka: Belagavi’s 5th JMFC court transfers CT Ravi case to the Special Court for People’s Representatives in Bengaluru.
Belagavi Police produced accused & MLC CT Ravi before the 5th JMFC court in Belagavi. BJP’s former national general secretary has been charged with… pic.twitter.com/xSuBPHG458
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 20, 2024
“Upon reviewing the requisition, the JMFC court in Belagavi issued an order directing the investigating officer to present the accused CT Ravi before the jurisdictional court at the MP/MLA court in Bengaluru.”
“The court also ordered that the FIR be forwarded to the jurisdictional magistrate,” Patil stated, confirming that the case has now been transferred to Bengaluru.
Following the court orders, the Karnataka Police are escorting accused Ravi to Bengaluru. The police are expected to produce him before the special court late night on Friday, 20 December.
Congress leader and Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar expressed deep pain over the incident in the legislative council and disappointment that none of the other members condemned the behaviour
Breaking her silence on the incident, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar told reporters in Belagavi: “We were protesting in the legislative council due to the disrespect shown towards Dr. BR Ambedkar. It is thanks to Ambedkar that women like us have the opportunity to become MLAs. He fought for equal rights for everyone.”
Hebbalkar pointed out: “I had taken my seat after our protest when the speaker adjourned the house for 10 minutes. However, CT Ravi repeatedly called our leader, Rahul Gandhi, a drug addict three or four times.”
“I remained silent at first, but then Ravi turned to me and continued to insult Rahul Gandhi. In response, I asked him why he was calling Gandhi a drug addict, reminding him that he has caused the death of two people in an accident. I told him that he would be remembered as a murderer,” the Minister admitted that she referred to Ravi as ‘murderer.’
#Karnataka: “The legislative council is often referred to as the house of intellectuals. Everyone was shocked when they heard his words.”
“Those who listened came forward to apologize, but no one took the initiative to condemn his statements,” Minister for Women & Child Welfare… pic.twitter.com/nkvYWV7U4z
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 20, 2024
She further said: “Once I responded, he turned towards me…. Everyone heard it…I feel ashamed to even use that term here. In a civilised society and politics, it is important to be strong. I have faced many challenges. Rising from being a party worker, I today represent the women of this state.”
“He insulted me not just once, but hurled that term at me ten times. I am not afraid of this, but I am also a mother, sister, and mother-in-law. Many women look up to me and aspire to become politicians.” Hebbalkar expressed her pain over the incident and broke down.
“The legislative council is often referred to as the house of intellectuals. Everyone was shocked when they heard his words. Those who listened came forward to apologise, but no one took the initiative to condemn his statements,” the Minister expressed her concern.
Taking an exception to the police action against him, BJP MLC CT Ravi asserted that he will put an end to dictatorship of Congress.
Belagavi Police produced accused CT Ravi before the 5th JMFC court in Belagavi. He was accompanied by the BJP’s state president Vijayendra and Opposition leader R Ashok in the court.
While police were escorting him out of the court, CT Ravi told reporters in Belagavi: “They acted like dictators. There will be full stop for everything. I’ll put it. The dictatorship will not last long.”
#Karnataka: “I’ll put an end to the dictatorship of congress,” accused & BJP MLC CT Ravi criticised the Congress after the case transferred to Bengaluru.
Belagavi’s 5th JMFC court judge Sparsha M D’Souza transferred the case to thenSpecial Court for People Representatives Court… pic.twitter.com/K7A808U5q7
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 20, 2024
Before presenting him in court, the Belagavi Police kept him on the move throughout the night, taking him to Bagalkot and Dharwad districts. He was not allowed to remain at any police station, including the Khanapura police station, where he is said to have recorded his video statement concerning the case.
A police officer attached to the Belagavi Police, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated: “The accused was not housed at any police station due to concerns of a possible attack by local residents. After the incident became public, several individuals attempted to assault the accused within the premises of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.”
“If he had been placed in a specific police station, supporters of the complainant might have gathered in large numbers, causing a disturbance. As a result, the accused was kept on the move throughout the night before produced him to the court,” elaborated the police officer.
#Karnataka: BJP stages state-wide protest condemning the arrest of party senior leader and MLC CT Ravi on Friday.
BJP’s state unit led by BY Vijayendra and Legislative Assembly’s speaker R Ashoka and Deputy Opposition leader Arvind Bellad staged protest at Rani Chennamma Circle… pic.twitter.com/7fPUjTsSAu
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 20, 2024
Opposing the police action against CT Ravi, the BJP’s Karnataka unit led by Vijayendra, Opposition leader R Ashoka and others staged protest in Belagavi. The party’s state unit has called for a state-wide protest against the Siddaramaiah government on Friday.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
