Karnataka Governor Urges CM Siddaramaiah to Address Police Misconduct Against C.T. Ravi

Bengaluru, Jan 8 (NationPress) Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sent a communication to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah concerning the purported police misconduct against BJP MLC C. T. Ravi related to the derogatory remark case, requesting him to treat the issue with utmost seriousness, according to sources on Wednesday.

The Governor urged Siddaramaiah to take action against the Belagavi Police Commissioner and the SP of Belagavi for their alleged highhandedness and to consider providing security for the BJP MLC.

"I recommend that you take action in this matter as you (CM Siddaramaiah) are also a representative of the public like Ravi," he stated.

The letter was prompted by a delegation of state BJP leaders who raised their concerns with him on December 24. As of now, the state government has not responded to the correspondence.

The Karnataka BJP delegation has requested Governor Gehlot to intervene in the investigation of the derogatory remark case involving BJP MLC Ravi and state Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar to ensure a judicial inquiry takes place.

Led by Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, former CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai, and Council Opposition Leader Chalawadi Narayanaswamy, the delegation briefed the Governor on how Ravi was "arrested, tortured, denied food, and taken to undisclosed locations".

"Ravi hails from the sensitive naxal-affected area of Chikkamagaluru and is also threatened by Islamic extremists. Previous administrations had provided him with a gunman for protection. Despite this, the police action of transporting Ravi to a quarry and sugarcane field overnight raises suspicions," the delegation presented.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka remarked, "We informed the Governor that this is a buffoon government. Ravi deserves proper security, and an impartial investigation must be conducted. While C.T. Ravi was taken to the police station, I witnessed the Police Commissioner receiving calls incessantly. I was present for five hours. Who was calling him? Was it the CM or the Dy CM? If that information is disclosed, it will bring transparency to the investigation."

The controversy began on December 19 during a heated discussion in the Karnataka Legislative Council. C.T. Ravi reportedly labeled Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, as a "drug addict".

This sparked strong reactions, with Minister Hebbalkar branding Ravi a "murderer". Ravi reportedly retaliated with an obscene comment directed at Hebbalkar.

The alleged remark resulted in Ravi's arrest on charges of using derogatory language against Hebbalkar. However, following a High Court order, Ravi was released, further escalating the political turmoil.

The Congress administration has assigned the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), although Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti stated that the matter is considered a closed chapter and police interference is unwelcome.

In the meantime, Minister Hebbalkar has challenged Ravi to swear before Lord Manjunatheshwara at the renowned Hindu pilgrimage site in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, regarding his alleged derogatory comments against her in the Legislative Council.