Karnataka: BJP Leader CT Ravi Gets Bail After Arrest Over Allegedly Abusing Minister

The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted interim bail to BJP MLC CT Ravi, who was arrested over abusing Karnataka minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. Ravi on Thursday was arrested for allegedly using a derogatory word against Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council on Thursday.

However, in its order, the High Court ruled, “The petitioner has submitted that the Speaker of Council said no such wordings (Ravi abusing Hebbalkar) were uttered. Even if the alleged incident occurred, which is unfortunate, the police was not required to manhandle the petitioner,” the court observed during the hearing.

Based on a complaint filed by the minister, a case was registered against the former BJP national general secretary under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said, as quoted by PTI.

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On Friday, he was produced before the People's Representatives' court in Bengaluru. He also filed a counter complaint against Hebbalkar, Chamaraja Hattiholi, DK Shivakumar, Saddam, and others for allegedly trying to kill him by attacking him inside the legislature premises.

In a video, CT Ravi alleged he was brought to Khanapura police station and was not told the reason. Furthermore, he claimed the police were not registering his complaint.

"Police brought me to Khanapura police station around 8 pm. They didn't tell me in which case they brought me. They're not registering my complaint; they're not even filling a zero FIR," he said as quoted by ANI.

"If something happens to me, Congress Govt must take responsibility. By registering a false case, they're conspiring to murder me. I have already filed a complaint," he added.

"It's been 3 hours since I was brought to the police station, and I haven't been told why I have been brought to the police station. If something happens to me, police, DK Shivkumar, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, and their team will be responsible. They're treating me like a criminal, and it's creating doubt in me. I have worked as a minister, and I'm a people representative. They're acting the way they acted at the time of the emergency," he stated.