Karnataka High Court Orders Swift Release of C.T. Ravi, BJP Celebrations Erupt Statewide
Click to start listening
Bengaluru, Dec 20 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court issued a directive on Friday for the immediate release of BJP MLC C.T. Ravi, who had been arrested for allegedly making a derogatory remark regarding Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Lakshmi Hebbalkar. Jubilant BJP supporters celebrated the verdict across the state.
The interim ruling was made by a bench led by Justice M.G. Uma, instructing the police to release Ravi from custody without delay. However, the court requested that Ravi cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Justice Uma expressed dissatisfaction with the behavior of both Ravi and Hebbalkar, highlighting the necessity for restraint in public discourse.
Advocate Sandeep Chowta, who represented C.T. Ravi in court, contended that both the accused and the complainant are legislators, and the allegations involved carry a maximum penalty of less than seven years of imprisonment. According to legal procedures, the police should have provided a notice and clarified the reasons for Ravi's arrest.
The defense further claimed that Ravi was assaulted while in custody and alleged discrepancies in his medical treatment report. Chowta also noted that the Legislative Council Chairperson found no record of the supposed derogatory remark, asserting that there was no urgent need for Ravi's arrest, as he had no intention of absconding.
Earlier that day, the Special Court for MLAs/MPs postponed Ravi's bail plea until Saturday, December 21.
Meanwhile, BJP workers celebrated the High Court's ruling at Ravi’s home in Chikkamagaluru, dancing and distributing sweets.
The Karnataka BJP organized statewide protests on Friday, denouncing Ravi’s arrest due to his alleged derogatory comment against Hebbalkar.
The controversy intensified during a heated discussion in the Legislative Council on Thursday when Ravi allegedly referred to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as a “drug addict.” Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar retaliated by labeling Ravi a “murderer.” In response, Ravi reportedly used an obscene term against Hebbalkar, escalating tensions further.
On Friday, a district court in Belagavi instructed the police to present Ravi before the Special Court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru. The order was issued by Judge Sparsha M. D’Souza, transferring the case to the special court for further proceedings.
C.T. Ravi’s arrest and the subsequent controversy triggered a political storm in Karnataka, highlighting the increasing tensions between the BJP and Congress in the state.
