Bengaluru/Belagavi: The Karnataka excessive courtroom on Friday granted interim bail to Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP) MLC CT Ravi, who was arrested on costs of allegedly utilizing an abusive phrase in opposition to minister for girls and little one growth Laxmi Hebbalkar contained in the legislative council. The courtroom, nonetheless, requested Ravi to cooperate with the investigation and be obtainable for questioning.
Criticising the arrest as “disproportionate to the alleged offence”, justice MG Uma questioned the urgency behind the motion. “What was the need to outrightly arrest him when the offence has a most three-year sentence? The style during which the petitioner was apprehended by the police is disproportionate to the alleged offence,” the courtroom stated.
The incident befell on Thursday when Ravi allegedly used a derogatory phrase in opposition to Hebbalkar throughout a legislative council debate on Union residence minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar. Ravi was taken into custody hours later from the premises of the Vidhana Soudha. Based mostly on the grievance lodged by Hebbalkar, a case was registered in opposition to the BJP chief underneath sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (phrase, gesture or act supposed to insult the modesty of a girl) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Previous to his look within the courtroom, Ravi alleged that he was mistreated in police custody. “I used to be overwhelmed thrice and denied meals till breakfast right this moment… Police took away my cell phone and even tried to grab my smartwatch… All through the night time, they saved receiving cellphone directions and moved me throughout totally different areas,” he advised reporters.
Ravi’s counsel, senior advocate Sandesh Chouta, advised the courtroom: “The police failed to supply my consumer with the grounds for his arrest. His medical report signifies accidents, possible inflicted throughout or after his arrest.”
Paying attention to the allegations, Justice Uma stated: “The petitioner is a sitting MLC of the Opposition social gathering. Him absconding doesn’t come up as he’s a public consultant. The police might have adopted correct procedures as an alternative of this disproportionate motion.”
The additionally courtroom identified that no discover underneath Part 41A of the CrPC, or its equal underneath Part 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, was issued earlier than the arrest.
Police, nonetheless, defended their actions. “We travelled with Ravi via numerous areas to keep away from disclosing his whereabouts and stop any potential clashes between his supporters and people of the complainant,” stated Belagavi superintendent of police Bhimashankar Guled.
Commissioner Yada Martin, too, stated: “A whole lot of individuals, believed to be Hebbalkar’s supporters, gathered outdoors the Rent Bagewadi police station. To keep away from untoward incidents, we shifted Ravi to Khanapur.”
Earlier within the day, the Belagavi Judicial Justice of the Peace First Class transferred the case to the Particular Court docket for Elected Representatives in Bengaluru, ruling that the matter fell underneath its jurisdiction.
Police registered the case underneath sections 75 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to offenses involving insults to modesty. Earlier than his courtroom look, Ravi lashed out on the Congress-led state authorities, calling its actions dictatorial. “They’ve acted like dictators. Dictatorship is not going to final lengthy. That is an try to silence the opposition,” he stated, and alleged that the police didn’t register an ordinary grievance or a zero FIR for the incident.
Talking to reporters, Hebbalkar defended her actions. “I could also be a minister and a political chief, however I’m additionally a girl, a mom, and a sister. The phrases Ravi used in opposition to me had been so abusive that I discover it troublesome to repeat them. He uttered these phrases no less than 10 occasions in entrance of everybody within the council,” she stated.
The Excessive Court docket, whereas granting bail, chastised each leaders for his or her conduct within the legislative council. “It’s shameful contemplating that each are representatives of the folks. It is sort of a horror present, not simply on this case however in lots of instances involving political leaders,” the courtroom stated.
Whereas Excessive Court docket granted him interim bail, he has moved to the Elected Consultant’ Court docket in Bengaluru. The common bail has been adjourned on Saturday.
