BJP leader CT Ravi has been granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on Friday following his arrest in a ‘derogatory’ remarks case filed by Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar.
The decision came after the court’s single-judge bench, headed by Justice MG Uma, issued an interim order for his release. Ravi had been arrested following allegations stemming from a complaint by Karnataka Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, which led to the legal action.
Speaking after securing release CT Ravi in a statement said, “Our custodian was Chairman, when our custodian clearly said and gave ruling a false case was filed against me and they treated me like a terrorist, let them introspect what have they done, I’m not doing well as I didn’t eat properly last night and in the morning. Its a win for the truth, this High Court order clear message that we all.must follow law. Though there was no proof against me I was arrested.”
Earlier, the BJP leader was brought to Bengaluru to produce before the People’s Representative court in connection to the case earlier in the day. The BJP leader accused the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government of acting like ‘dictators’ following his arrest in the case.
“They (state government) have acted like dictators, there is a full stop to everything, dictatorship will not last long,” said CT Ravi after he was arrested.
On Friday, Belagavi’s Fifth JMFC Court on Friday directed BJP leader and MLC CT Ravi to appear before the Special Court for People’s Representatives in Bengaluru. The Hirebagewadi police presented their case before the court, seeking a transit warrant for Ravi. The court granted their request and ordered the police to take him into custody as part of the legal process.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai responded to the case and said, “When there was a slogan Pakistan zindabad, they never arrested anybody, they took time for FCL report for 2 months and then made arrest. Here, no procedure has been done. There is a Police Raj in Karnataka. Investigation must be done and truth must come out and then action must be taken. Police are being misused nowadays.”
CT Ravi also filed a counter-complaint at the Khanapura police station in Belagavi, accusing Congress leaders Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Chamaraja Hattiholi, DK Shivakumar, Saddam, and others of attempting to kill him. He alleged that the police brought him to the Khanapura police station without providing a reason.
Karnataka Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar earlier in the day addressed the alleged derogatory remarks made by CT Ravi during the Karnataka Legislative Assembly session. Speaking to reporters at her residence in Belagavi, she expressed distress over the incident.
Hebbalkar recounted, “After completing the protest (against the remarks of Amit Shah), I was sitting quietly in my seat. At that time, CT Ravi called Rahul Gandhi a drug addict. In response, I asked, ‘Even you have been in accidents–does that make you a murderer?”
She further alleged that CT Ravi used derogatory words against her following this exchange. “I am also a mother. People look up to me, and I hope thousands are inspired to enter politics because of me,” she added.
CT Ravi has been suspended from the Legislative Council.
BJP State President Vijayendra accused the police of acting under pressure from the state government.
“The Speaker has already ruled on what CT Ravi said on the floor of the House. We must wait for the FSL report. The Police Department appears to have succumbed to pressure from the Minister and the State Government. Yesterday, CT Ravi suffered a severe head injury, yet he was not taken to the hospital. He wasn’t given even a drop of water all night. Is CT Ravi a terrorist? He is a respected MLC and a former minister,” Vijayendra stated.
He also called for statewide protests against Ravi’s arrest, asserting that the treatment of the BJP leader was “unpardonable.”
“We will take further action after consulting our advocates and experts. Protests will be held across the state in all district headquarters,” he added.
BJP workers staged protests in Chikkamagaluru and Belagavi condemning the arrest of CT Ravi. In Chikkamagaluru, BJP workers gathered to demand his release, accusing the state government of targeting opposition leaders. Following his arrest, BJP leaders called for a bandh in Chikkamagaluru. The bandh was organised by the Chikkamagaluru district BJP, prompting a heavy police deployment in the city. Security was tightened, with officers stationed at key locations, including Hanumanthappa Circle.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah however, slammed the BJP’s support for party leader CT Ravi.
Siddaramaiah questioned Ravi’s conduct, saying, “They are supporting the use of derogatory language towards women. If it is false that CT Ravi used vulgar language, why was he arrested? Normally, women cannot file false complaints about such allegations. I don’t know why CT used vulgar language. This is a crime. He was taken to Khanapura for his safety only; people might have started a protest against him, and that’s why he was taken away from there (from the city).”
Karnataka Deputy Shivakumar also detailed the incident, claiming Ravi repeatedly insulted Hebbalkar.
“There was a discussion in the House on the Union Home Minister insulting BR Ambedkar, and CT Ravi interfered and called Rahul Gandhi a ‘drug addict.’ When Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar jumped in to defend her party leader, he called her ‘prostitute’ several times,” said Shivakumar.
Shivakumar added, “He used the word 12 times. The media must take this seriously. If you don’t have the evidence, I will share it with you.”
With CT Ravi getting relief from the High Court the BJP is expected to intensify its protests against the Congress government in Karnataka.
(With inputs from ANI)
