Karnataka: BJP MLC Ravi Alleges Assault and Torture in Police Custody
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Belagavi, Dec 20 (NationPress) C.T. Ravi, a BJP MLC who has been detained due to 'derogatory remarks' directed at Karnataka's women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, reported on Saturday that he faced assault and torture from police officers while in custody.
Ravi voiced these allegations in a local court in Belagavi, where the Karnataka police presented him.
After Judge Sparsha M D’souza inquired about his arrest, C.T. Ravi asserted that the police transported him across three districts for a duration of 10 hours, throughout the night.
“The officers took me to secluded locations and sugarcane fields,” he remarked.
Ravi further declared in court that he sustained injuries at the Khanapur police station, resulting in bleeding from his head.
When questioned if he could identify the officers responsible, Ravi expressed his inability to do so.
“I have suffered physical and mental torture. The police received calls every 10 minutes and acted under those directives,” he alleged.
“The police have not provided me with any explanation for my arrest. I have been attacked three times on the grounds of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha,” Ravi asserted.
“They confiscated my mobile phone and watch. I filed a complaint regarding the assault and requested the police to register a zero FIR. Not filing a case against the minister constitutes a crime. For two-and-a-half hours, I was not permitted to meet any leaders,” Ravi stated.
Lawyer M.B. Jirali, representing C.T. Ravi, claimed that his client was treated like an animal when being placed into the police vehicle, which violated established protocols.
“This is a breach of Article 21. This case is fabricated, and the police have obstructed Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka from meeting Ravi,” he emphasized.
“My client’s mental and physical health must be prioritized. The Speaker, as the Constitutional head, is aware of the situation. No decision has been made regarding this matter. My client requires medical attention and should be granted bail,” Counsel Jirali stated.
The BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, and other MLAs were present in the courtroom.
Ravi was observed becoming emotional in the court corridor, with senior BJP leaders like R. Ashoka providing comfort.
The prosecution has yet to present its arguments against Ravi’s bail application.
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