On Thursday, 19th December, Former Karnataka Minister and BJP MLC CT Ravi filed a complaint against state minister Laxmi Hebbalkar accusing her and others including DK Shivakumar, and Saddam of conspiring to murder him. This follows Ravi’s arrest by the police on the charges of using derogatory language against Minister Hebbalkar.
The counter complaint has been filed against the Congress leaders at Khanapura police station, Belgavi.
The BJP leader stated that the police had not registered any FIR against him and that he was arrested by the authorities negligently. “Police brought me to Khanapura police station around 8 pm. They didn’t tell me in which case they brought me. They’re not registering my complaint, they’re not even filing zero FIR,” Ravi was quoted as saying by ANI.
Karnataka: BJP leader CT Ravi filed a counter complaint at Khanapura police station, Belagavi against Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Chamaraja Hattiholi, DK Shivakumar, Saddam, and others for allegedly trying to kill him by attacking him (CT Ravi) at Suvarna Soudha, Belagavi. pic.twitter.com/HwbPRV2x4N
— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2024
He also added that the Congress leaders were attempting to murder him and that if anything happened to him, the party would be held responsible. “If something happens to me, Congress Govt must take responsibility. By registering a false case, they’re conspiring to murder me. I have already filed a complaint. It’s been 3 hours since I was brought to the police station, and I haven’t been told why I have been brought to the police station. If something happens to me, the police, DK Shivakumar, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, and their team will be responsible,” he added.
#WATCH | Belagavi, Karnataka: BJP leader CT Ravi says, "Police brought me to Khanapura police station around 8 pm. They didn't tell me in which case they brought me. They're not registering my complaint, they're not even filing zero FIR. If something happens to me, Congress Govt… pic.twitter.com/3AUfoE9VGR
— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2024
The leader also stated that the ruling party in the state of Karnataka was treating him like a criminal and that the entire event was pushing him into self-doubt. He also alleged that the party was using emergency-like tactics. “They’re treating me like a criminal and it’s creating doubt in me. I have worked as a minister and I’m a people representative. They’re acting the way they acted at the time of emergency,” he said.
Notably, reports suggest that Ravi attained head injuries while in custody and that he was provided treatment after 3 hours of the injury. He also executed a sit-in protest as he stated that the police were treating him like a criminal.
BREAKING NEWS
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) December 20, 2024
Karnataka BJP MLC CT Ravi files counter complaint against DK Shivakumar, Laxmi Hebbalkar and Saddam for conspiring to kill him.
He suffered head injury while in police custody. He was provided first aid after 3 hours of the injury. pic.twitter.com/muFoNkanN2
The BJP leader, CT Ravi was arrested by the police on Thursday, 19th December after Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar complained that he used derogatory words against her in the Legislative Council earlier in the day. As per the police, the complaint against Ravi was registered under charges of sexual harassment and using words, gestures, or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
The incident is believed to have happened during the last winter session of the Karnataka Assembly in Belagavi, Karnataka. He was notably taken into custody from the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises in the district.
Ravi eventually denied all the charges and stated that the Congress leaders were making false accusations against him. He stated that the Congress leaders including DK Shivkumar were planning a conspiracy to murder him.
The altercation between Ravi and Hebbalkar is believed to have happened when the house was discussing the alleged remarks made by Union Minister Amit Shah against BR Ambedkar. During the altercation, Hebbalkar made certain comments against Ravi in the session following which the latter is alleged to have made ‘derogatory’ remarks against the Minister. Ravi however, has denied all the allegations.
DK Shivakumar calls CT Ravi ‘filthy mouth’
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also commented on the matter lashing out at Ravi over his alleged derogatory remarks. He called the latter ‘filthy mouth’ and dismissed Ravi’s claims that the police were attempting to murder him. “No one is murdering anyone. I saw one video clip, when the Police allowed them to meet, they had a BJP meeting. Is the Police station the place for holding such a meeting? The Police behaved very well. We are not interfering in anything; the Police allowed all of them inside. I’m asking the Police how they allowed such a meeting. Family members or 1-2 people can meet, but why did they have a meeting inside? Who is murdering them? It’s natural that supporters of Lakshmi Hebbalkar protested; it happened out of emotions because such filthy words were used against their leader,” he said.
He also claimed that the party had proof that Ravi used alleged derogatory words against Hebbalkar.
“There was a discussion over disrespect to Babasaheb Ambedkar. There was a protest over it as he called Rahul Gandhi a drug addict. There is proof that he has used derogatory slur for the lady MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar, you have all the videos and documents. Why did he call Rahul Gandhi a drug addict? Is it Chikkamagaluru’s culture, BJP culture, and Indian culture? Show everything, I’ll give you proof,” he said.
The BJP continues to criticize the police for failing to control the situation. “The way the state government has handled this entire issue is unpardonable. They have treated CT Ravi as a terrorist. They will probably produce him before the magistrate; all our advocates and experts are there. We will discuss and take further action… We have called for a protest across the state, in all the district HQs. We have taken this issue seriously,” State BJP chief BY Vijayendra said.
