BJP leader C.T. Ravi likely to be taken to Bengaluru

BJP MLC C.T. Ravi files a complaint against unidentified supporters of Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar and others at the Khanapur police station. 
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Belagavi police are likely to produce BJP MLC C.T. Ravi before the special court of elected representatives in Bengalore on Friday (December 20, 2024) after was arrested on Thursday (December 19, 2024) after he allegedl insulted Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar by passing a derogatory comment on her character in the Assembly.

“Officers are also exploring the option of producing the accused before the local magistrate and then shift him to Bengaluru by flight’‘, a police officer said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ravi protested against the city police, saying they were taking him around needlessly, and without keeping him informed. He sat on the road and raised slogans against the police.

The BJP leader also accused the police of conspiring to murder him, and alleged he had been injured in a police attack.

The police however, denied the allegations. They said he hit himself accidentally.

“While the car carrying him was reaching Ramdurg, he tried to get out of the vehicle. The police constables sitting nearby tried to stop him, and he hit his forehead on the handle bar above the door. He was taken to the government hospital and given first aid treatment”, a police officer said.

Arrested on charges of sexual assault

A team of officers led by Assistant commissioner of police S.M. Satyanayak arrested him in front of the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi, on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman and sexual assault.

He was taken to the Hirebagewadi police station. Officers registered a case against the former Minister under sections 75 and 79 of BNS.

“The accused has a right to station bail under BNS 79 as the maximum punishment under the section is 3 years. However, section 75 is not bailable. There is a possibility that he will be produced before a magistrate,” said a senior police officer

Mr. Ravi was taken to Khanapur from Hirebagewadi, to avoid law and order problems as there was huge public presence in Hire Bagewadi police station. MLCs Chalavadi Narayana Swami and P.H. Pujar and others visited Hirebagewadi police station. Members of BJP yuva morcha gathered before the police station.

A team of officers escorted Mr. Ravi to Khanapur at night. But BJP leaders including some legislators gathered before the Khanapur police station. From there, he was taken to Ramdurg.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ravi has lodged a complaint against unidentified supporters of Ms. Hebbalkar, accusing them of assaulting him, with an intent to murder him. He filed the complaint with the Khanapur police station.

He also accused deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar and Channaraj Hattiholi, MLC and Ms. Hebbalkar‘s brother, of threatening to kill him.

He complained before reporters that his complaint was accepted, but a First Information Report was not registered by the Khanapur police.

Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, BJP MLA, has accused Belagavi Police of committing excesses.

“The police commissioner and other officers have taken the law in their own hands. By arresting Mr. Ravi and insulting him, they are trying to please their political masters. It may be because the Belagavi commissioner wants to be Bengaluru police commissioner. But one day, they will have to answer. They will be held responsible. Courts are still functioning in this country and there is a BJP government at the centre. These officers and those who ordered the lathi charge against the Panchamasali protest, should remember this,” Mr. Yatnal told reporters in Belagavi on Thursday night.