BJP MLC CT Ravi filed a complaint at Khanapur police station against unidentified supporters of minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar and others. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
BJP MLC CT Ravi is likely to be produced before a special court of elected representatives in Bangalore on Friday (December 20, 2024) after the Belagavi police arrested him on Thursday (December 19, 2024) for allegedly making offensive remarks against minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. On his character in the assembly.
“The authorities are also exploring the option of producing the accused before a local magistrate and then airlift them to Bengaluru”, a police official said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ravi protested against the Metropolitan Police saying that he was being taken around unnecessarily. He sat on the street and raised slogans against the police.
The BJP leader also accused the police of conspiring to kill him and alleged that he was injured in a police attack.
But the police denied the allegations. They said that they hit him accidentally.
“When the car carrying him reached Ramdurg, he tried to get out of the vehicle. A police constable sitting nearby tried to stop him and hit him on the forehead on the door handle bar. He was taken to a government hospital and given first aid,” said a police officer.
Arrested for sexual abuse
A team of officers led by Assistant Commissioner of Police SM Satyanayak arrested him in front of Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on charges of defaming a woman and sexually assaulting her.
He was taken to Hirebagewadi police station. The authorities have registered a case against the former minister under sections 75 and 79 of the BNS.
“The accused is entitled to bail under BNS 79 as the maximum sentence under the section is 3 years. However, section 75 is not bailable. He is likely to be produced before a magistrate,” said a senior police officer.
Mr. Ravi was taken from Hirebagewadi to Khanapur in order to avoid any problem of peace and security as there was a large presence of public at Hirebagewadi police station. MLC Chalawadi Narayan Swamy and PH Pujar and others reached Hirebagewadi police station. Members of the BJP Yuva Morcha gathered in front of the police station.
A team of officials took Mr. Ravi to Khanapur at night. But BJP leaders including some MLAs gathered in front of Khanapur police station. From there he was taken to Ramdurg.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ravi has filed a complaint against Ms. Hebbalkar’s unidentified supporters, alleging that they assaulted him with the intention of killing him. He lodged a complaint at Khanapur police station.
He also alleged that he threatened to kill Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and Channaraj Hattiholi, MLC and brother of Ms. Hebbalkar.
He complained to the journalists that his complaint was accepted but the Khanapur police did not register the first notice.
BJP MLA Basangowda Patil Yatnal alleged that the Belagavi police had committed excesses.
“The Commissioner of Police and other officials have taken the law into their own hands. are trying to please their political masters by arresting and humiliating Mr. Ravi. Belagavi Commissioner may want to be Police Commissioner of Bengaluru. But one day, they must answer. They will be responsible. Courts are still functioning in this country and there is a BJP government at the centre. These officials and those who ordered lathicharge against Panchamasali should remember this,” Mr. Yatnal told reporters in Belagavi on Thursday night.
published – Dec 20, 2024 at 08:52 pm IST