BJP leader CT Ravi, arrested for allegedly making controversial comments about Karnataka minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, is produced in a court in Belagavi on Friday, December 20, 2024. Photo credit: PTI
The Belagavi police produced BJP MLC CT Ravi, who was arrested for his alleged ‘insulting remarks’ against Karnataka minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, before the local magistrate’s court on Friday (December 20, 2024). After hearing both sides, the judge adjourned the hearing till 3 pm today
The authorities brought Mr. Ravi to the city fifth additional magistrate’s court. He was earlier taken to the Community Health Center where he was examined.
Advocate and BJP spokesperson MB Zirli sought bail for Mr. Ravi. The lawyer said that the police misbehaved with him, forgetting that he was not an MLC and a common criminal. He said that the police detained him overnight without giving him food. He also said that since the alleged crime was committed at the lower level of the House, there is a special court for elected representatives and not a local court.
BJP leaders talk to Mr. Ravi
A large number of BJP workers had gathered in the court. Bijayendra, MLC N Ravi Kumar, MLA Prabhu Chauhan and others spoke before Mr. Ravi was produced before the judge.
He said that the police brought them to the borders of Dharwad, Belagavi and Bagalkot districts all night long. He said that he was taken to the hospital only in the morning after being arrested for a few hours. BJP leaders like R Ashok, MLA Sunil Kumar and other leaders also reached the court.
Before climbing the stairs of the building, Mr. Ravi told reporters that he was innocent and that Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar had falsely accused him of a heinous crime. “I will tell the judge that the police tortured me. They took me around all night and did not let me eat anything,” he said.
published – Dec 20, 2024 01:15 pm IST