BJP MLC CT Ravi Arrested For Remarks Against Karnataka Minister, To Be Produced In Court Today

Karnataka BJP MLC CT Ravi was booked on charges of sexual harassment and insulting the modesty after allegedly making derogatory comment against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.

BJP MLC CT Ravi was booked and arrested for alleged derogatory remark against Karnataka minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.

Source : PTI

Karnataka BJP MLC CT Ravi will be produced in a court in Bengaluru on Friday, a day after being arrested for allegedly using a derogatory word against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council on Thursday. 

An FIR was filed against the former BJP national general secretary based on a complaint by the minister. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader was booked under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to a senior police officer. 

He will be brought to Bengaluru and produced before the People's Representatives' court on Friday morning, reported PTI quoting official and BJP sources. He also filed 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, Ravi alleged he was brought to Khanapura police station and was not told the reason, further claiming the police are not registering his complaint neither a zero FIR. 

"If something happens to me, Congress Govt must take responsibility. By registering a false case, they're conspiring to murder me," Ravi said in the video.

"If something happens to me police, DK Shivakumar, 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 emergency," he added.  

The MLC has denied the allegation calling it "false" and staged a protest, while Congress leaders said Hebbalkar made a complaint to the Legislative Council Chairman. 

A high-voltage drama unfolded on Thursday, the last day of the winter session of the Karnataka legislature, with Hebbalkar accusing Ravi of using a derogatory word against her in the Legislative Council. 

"I'm pained....," said the state Woman and Child Development Minister while speaking to reporters outside the House. Earlier, a group of people, claiming to be supporters of Hebbalkar, angrily approached Ravi within the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha premises, but were stopped by the security staff. 

Congress leader alleged that Ravu used the derogatory word several times against Hebbalkar during an altercation between the two. The heated exchange was said to be triggered by derogatory comments against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by some members, however, it is not clear whether it was Ravi who made the comments about Gandhi. 

While Ravi staged a protest along with other BJP members alleging an attempt to attack him in the House, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the BJP MLC used "filthier" words to Hebbalkar. "It amounts to a criminal offence," the CM added.