Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said Ravi abused her, used expletives several times, besides making obscene gestures.
Published Dec 19, 2024 | 8:51 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 19, 2024 | 8:51 PM
Supporters of Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar trying to attack BJP MLC CT Ravi at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. (Screengrab)
The Bagewadi police in Karnataka arrested BJP MLC CT Ravi on Thursday, 19 December, for making a derogatory remark at the Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Ravi was whisked away from the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha under heavy security, even as the minister’s supporters tried to assault him.
“Although an FIR was registered at the Bagewadi police station, he was taken to a different location. Since Lakshmi Hebbalkar’s constituency falls within the jurisdiction of the Bagewadi police, he was taken to the Khanapur police station, expecting that her supporters might turn up in large numbers,” a source said.
Earlier, the Karnataka Legislative Council witnessed uproarious scenes on the last day of the winter session in Belagavi, after Minister Hebbalkar accused BJP MLC CT Ravi of using a derogatory term against her.
Following the alleged incident, Hebbalkar lodged complaints with Speaker Basavaraj Horatti and the police.
Based on the minister’s complaint, the police registered an FIR under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (outraging a woman’s modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
“CT Ravi abused me, using expletives several times. He also made obscene gestures at me,” Hebbalkar said in the complaint.
The MLC made the alleged remark while the Congress members were protesting against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on BR Ambedkar after the Zero Hour.
Meanwhile, Ravi denied the allegation, saying he had never used the word “prostitute” in the House but said “frustrated” instead.
Marshals had to escort Ravi out of the council as Hebbalkar’s supporters tried to assault him. They issued threats to him even as former deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan accompanied him.
Ravi later staged a protest outside the House, demanding the arrest of Hebbalkar’s supporters for allegedly assaulting him and questioning the lack of adequate security for legislators within the premises.
Acting swiftly, the Belagavi City Police detained around 50 of her supporters at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. Ravi, too, was detained.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed Ravi’s remarks a ‘criminal offence’ and said legal action would be initiated against the BJP MLC.
“I have been informed that Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar has lodged a complaint against Legislative Council member CT Ravi for using abusive language, both before the Speaker and the police. The police will take the necessary action regarding this criminal offense,” he told reporters.
“I was not present in the Legislative Council at the time of the incident. The language used has deeply hurt Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. Such remarks can be considered a form of sexual harassment. The police will take the appropriate action,” the chief minister added.
Congress legislators, including ministers, condemned the alleged remarks. “The party leadership is demanding the speaker to expel Ravi from the house. The speaker has not yet responded but the ruling party has demanded a thorough probe and action against the senior BJP leader,” Congress sources said.
Congress senior and MLC BK Hariprasad told South First that Minister Hebbalkar first raised the issue with him in the Council.
“We were present in the house when Laxmi Hebbalkar approached me and complained that CT Ravi had abused her. She alleged that Ravi referred to her as a ‘prostitute’ for about 10 times,” Hariprasad said.
#Karnataka: Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar files complaint against BJP MLC CT Ravi over calling her ‘prostitute’ in the house.
In a dramatic turn of events, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar accuses @BJP4Karnataka MLC CT Ravi of calling her a “prostitute” in the… pic.twitter.com/oDaMbNt8WW
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 19, 2024
When asked about the alleged reason behind Ravi’s remarks, Hariprasad said the Congress members were protesting against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on Ambedkar.
“CT Ravi had been criticizing the Congress and Rahul Gandhi. In response, Laxmi Hebbalkar reminded him that he had been accused of causing the deaths of two innocent people in an accident. Enraged, Ravi reportedly called the minister a ‘prostitute’,” he said.
Hebbalkar complained with Speaker Horatti in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs HK Patil, and Minister for Minor Irrigation NS Boseraju.
Ravi denied the allegations, saying he had not used any abusive or derogatory language. He clarified that he only used the term “frustrated” in the House.
“It is a conspiracy. The allegations are false,” he told reporters.
“The audio and video recordings will reveal what was said. I raised the issue of Congress’s injustice towards Dr BR Ambedkar, highlighting the wrongs done to him, his defeat in elections, and the disrespect shown after his death,” he said.
“I also pointed out how Congress did not provide space to cremate Ambedkar in Delhi, failed to honour him with the Bharat Ratna, and disrespected the Constitution. I’ve clearly stated that they are just creating drama today and are frustrated,” Ravi alleged.
“If they base their views on sentiments and emotions, I am not responsible for that. Let them show what’s on record, and I will respond to it,” BJP’s former national general secretary said.
When asked if the speaker had sought an explanation regarding these allegations, he replied in the negative. “If he asks, I will respond. I can only state the facts. If they are guided by emotions, how can I answer that?”
“I can only speak of what I have said, not imagine something else. I am not a legal expert like Siddaramaiah. Once the audio and video clips are verified, the truth will come out,” Ravi reiterated.
(Edited by Manju Babu)
