High Court Halts FIR Against Karnataka MLA for Vulgar Comments About Ranya Rao
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Synopsis
The Karnataka High Court has temporarily stayed the proceedings against expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal over alleged vulgar remarks about actress Ranya Rao, who is in jail for gold smuggling. The court will revisit the matter on April 28.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka High Court stays FIR against MLA Yatnal.
- Yatnal allegedly made vulgar remarks about Ranya Rao.
- Ranya Rao is in jail for a gold smuggling case.
- Case will be reviewed again on April 28.
- Yatnal's remarks have raised serious legal concerns.
Bengaluru, April 1 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court has temporarily halted proceedings against expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal concerning his alleged vulgar comments about Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who is presently incarcerated in Bengaluru Central Jail over a gold smuggling allegation.
A bench led by Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur issued this order while reviewing a petition from MLA Yatnal aimed at dismissing the FIR lodged against him by the Bengaluru Police.
The court instructed the prosecution to respond to the quash petition and granted a stay on the criminal proceedings related to the FIR. The case has been postponed until April 28.
In response to this legal development, MLA Yatnal expressed on social media platform X, "Satyameva Jayate."
When addressing the media regarding the gold smuggling incident, Yatnal claimed that the actress had concealed gold in various manners for smuggling purposes. His statements included offensive and derogatory language.
In the wake of his remarks, a relative of Ranya Rao lodged a police complaint against MLA Yatnal at the High Grounds police station in Bengaluru. Consequently, the police registered an FIR against him under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
The complainant’s attorney, Mahesh Y.N., argued in court that MLA Yatnal should not receive any leniency in this case, given the serious charges involving disrespecting a woman's modesty.
"The investigation is ongoing, and at this point, a stay order should not be issued. MLA Yatnal’s public comments have tarnished her dignity. His counsel tries to frame his remarks as directed at two ministers instead. As a legislator, Yatnal’s statements lacked respect," Mahesh asserted.
Yatnal’s attorney, Venkatesh Dalvayi, argued that the case was initiated by a relative of Ranya Rao and that she was unaware of the complaint.
The court has issued interim orders, suspending the criminal proceedings against MLA Yatnal until further notice.
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of senior police officer Ramchandra Rao, was arrested on March 3 for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kilograms of gold, estimated to be worth over Rs 12.56 crore. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are currently investigating the case.
The state government has formed a special team, led by a senior IAS officer, to investigate the role of DGP Ramachandra Rao.
