BJP MLC CT Ravi filed a complaint against unidentified supporters of Karnapur police chief Lakshmi Hebbalkar and others. |Image source: Special arrangement
Belagavi police are likely to produce BJP MLC CT Ravi before the Special Court for Elected Representatives in Bengaluru on Friday (December 20, 2024) after he was charged with murder on Thursday (December 19, 2024). Arrested for insulting Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar through insulting remarks.
“Police are also exploring options of bringing the accused before a local magistrate and then transferring him to Bengaluru by flight,” a police officer said.
Meanwhile, Ravi protested against the city police, saying they were taking him around unnecessarily and without informing him. He sat on the roadside and raised slogans against the police.
The BJP leader also accused the police of conspiring to murder him and claimed he was injured in a police attack.
But police denied the accusations. They said he accidentally hit himself.
“When the car carrying him reached Ramdug, he tried to get out of the car. The policeman sitting nearby tried to stop him and his forehead hit the handle above the door. He was taken to a government hospital and received emergency treatment,” a police officer said.
Arrested on suspicion of sexual assault
A team of policemen led by Assistant Commissioner of Police SM Satyanayak arrested him in front of Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on charges of insulting a woman’s modesty and sexual assault.
He was taken to Hirebagewadi police station. Officials registered a case against the former minister under sections 75 and 79 of the BNS.
“Under BNS section 79, the accused is entitled to bail as the maximum penalty under that section is three years. However, section 75 provides for non-bailability. There is a possibility that he will be produced before a magistrate,” a senior police officer said.
Mr Ravi was brought to Khannapur from Hirebagewadi to avoid law and order issues as there was a heavy public presence at Hirebagewadi police station. MLC Chalavadi Narayana Swami and PH Pujar among others visited Hirebagewadi police station. Members of the BJP yuva morcha gathered in front of the police station.
A team of police officers escorted Mr. Ravi to Khanapur during the night. But BJP leaders, including some legislators, gathered in front of Khannapur police station. From there, he was taken to Ramdug.
Meanwhile, Mr Ravi filed a complaint against unidentified supporters of Ms Hebbalkar, accusing them of assaulting him with intent to murder him. He filed a complaint with the Khannapur police station.
He also accused deputy minister DK Shivakumar and MLC Ms Hebbalkar’s brother Channaraj Hattiholi of threatening to kill him.
He complained before reporters that his complaint was accepted but the FIR was not registered by the Khannapur police.
BJP MP Basanagouda Patil Yatnal accused Belagavi police of excesses.
“The Commissioner of Police and other officers have taken the law into their own hands. They arrested Mr. Ravi and humiliated him to please their political masters. It may be because Commissioner Belagavi wanted to become Bengaluru Police Commissioner. But one day , they must give answers. They will be held accountable. The courts of this country are still functioning and the people who ordered the prosecution of the Panchamasali protests should remember this.” Turnal told reporters in Belagavi on Thursday evening.
Published – December 20, 2024 08:52 AM (IST)