Karnataka: BJP members stage protest against arrest of C.T. Ravi

BJP leaders staging a protest in front of the Rani Channamma statue in Belagavi on Friday.
| Photo Credit: BADIGER P.K.

BJP members staged a protest in Belagavi on Friday against the arrest of C T Ravi, BJP MLC, saying it was in violation of rules. They also accused the police of committing excesses against him.

They held placards saying the Congress was running a police State and that Ministers were acting in a dictatorial manner. They stood in front of the Rani Channamma statue and shouted slogans against the government.

The Belagavi police arrested Mr. Ravi after he allegedly used an obscene word to describe Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. The local JMFC court transferred the case to the special court for elected representatives in Bengaluru. The High Court ordered his release later.

R. Ashok, MLA and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said there was no need for a police complaint. Basavaraj Horatti, chairman of the Legislative Council, has given a ruling that the case has been dropped. “Mr. Horatti had also announced that the matter was settled after he heard both the parties. But then, the police went after Mr. Ravi and booked a case needlessly,” ‘he said. He said that a few years ago, Siddaramaiah as a MLA, had insulted the Vidhana Soudha by kicking on its door. But we did not file a case against him, Mr. Ashok said.

“This is a clear case of harassment by the police. Ministers and other Congress leaders are misusing the police. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have called officers 50 times. The DGP has also made calls. We have seen the call records of the police,’‘ Mr. Ashok said.

He alleged that Mr. Ravi was tortured and beaten up in police stations and that the police officers did not allow BJP legislators inside the stations.

To a query, Mr. Ashok said there was a need for detailed investigation to check the veracity of the video clips of the Council purportedly showing the heated exchanges between Mr. Ravi and Ms. Hebbalkar.

N. Ravi Kumar, MLC, said the police had violated several rules in arresting a member of the Legislative Council. “Legislature rules and established tradition say that all happenings in the legislature should be settled inside the Houses. Any arrest of any member can be made only after seeking permission of the Chairman or the Speaker. All these were overlooked,” he said.