BELAGAVI: BJP MLC CT Ravi was arrested from Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises on Thursday on charges of making derogatory remarks against Karnataka women and child development minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Ravi was taken into police custody shortly after an FIR was registered following Hebbalkar’s complaint. Ravi was taken to the nearest police station and later shifted to the Khanapur station, 25km from the city, for security reasons. He has been booked for sexual harassment, and using word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Ravi has denied the allegations, calling them “false”.
The controversy erupted around 1pm following an adjournment of the House due to a heated altercation over Union home minister Amit Shah’s remark on BR Ambedkar in Parliament on Tuesday. As tensions rose between the two sides, Ravi allegedly directed a sexually abusive remark at Hebbalkar.
An upset Hebbalkar approached council chairman Basavaraj Horatti seeking action. Several Congress members claimed to have witnessed Ravi making derogatory comments repeatedly during the altercation.
Ravi said: “Let the audio and videos get verified. I’m not someone who will abuse someone. I don’t know why she felt that way.” Some BJP members alleged the altercation began when Hebbalkar called Ravi a “murderer”.
The situation escalated further when Hebbalkar’s supporters attempted to confront Ravi in Soudha.
BJP members accused Hebbalkar’s supporters of attempting to assault Ravi, prompting the MLC and his colleagues to stage a protest in the corridor of the House.
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