Belagavi (Karnataka): The arrest of BJP MLC C.T. Ravi has sparked significant controversy, with Ravi alleging that police are plotting to kill him while in custody in Belagavi district. His arrest stems from accusations of sexual harassment following derogatory remarks he made about Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Minister Hebbalkar filed a police complaint, claiming Ravi used highly offensive language against her during a session of the Legislative Council. Ravi was apprehended by Hirebagewadi police at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Thursday evening and subsequently taken to Khanapur police station. Throughout the night, he was moved to various locations by police.
At approximately 3 A.M. on Friday, Ravi refused to accompany the police to Ramadurga, questioning the rationale behind his transport to multiple sites. He staged a protest on the road, asserting that there was a conspiracy to murder him.
“In my 35 years in politics, I have never encountered such a situation. The police receive directives from higher authorities and act accordingly. They have become powerless. I came here to attend the session, and the Speaker was my caretaker,” Ravi stated. He also mentioned that he had been verbally attacked by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Minister Hebbalkar, claiming he had received public death threats and had been assaulted three times at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. Ravi filed a complaint with the Khanapur police, which he claims has not been officially registered.
A video has emerged showing Ravi being forcibly taken into a police vehicle with blood visible on his forehead, raising concerns about police conduct in the situation. After being taken to an undisclosed location, he was later brought to the Belagavi Community Health Centre for a medical checkup at 10 A.M., with plans to present him in court.
The incident escalated during a heated debate in the Council, where Ravi allegedly called Congress MP Rahul Gandhi a “drug addict.” In response, Minister Hebbalkar reportedly labeled Ravi a “murderer,” leading to a heated exchange where Ravi referred to her in an offensive manner, leaving her in tears.
In light of the events, the BJP has called for statewide protests to condemn C.T. Ravi’s arrest.