BJP MLA C.T. Ravi who was arrested for allegedly using a derogatory word against Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council in Belagavi on Thursday was granted interim bail by the High Court in Bengaluru, on Friday evening.
The High Court also directed the “immediate release from custody” of the BJP legislator, who was charged under section 75 (sexual harassment) and Section 79 (outraging the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
Justice M.G. Uma, who heard Ravi’s bail plea and passed the order for his immediate release stating the petitioner was an MLC from the opposition party and his absconding or being unavailable to the investigating officer did not arise, after Ravi’s counsel Sandesh J Chouta argued that the punishment under the offence charged was up to seven years and hence the police had to issue a notice under BNS section 35 before arresting him. The accused was not given reasons for his arrest but taken into custody.
The court noted that even if allegations made against the petitioners are to be accepted, the police are needed to follow procedure as contemplated under BNSS and a memo should have been served highlighting the grounds for his arrest. But prima facie nothing has been placed before the court to satisfy the same was complied with.
The BJP leader was arrested by Hirebagewadi police but taken to Khanapur police station owing to “security reasons” as Congress supporters had made several attempts to attack Ravi both inside and outside the secretariat building. The following morning, Ravi, with a bandaged forehead was produced before the Judicial Magistrate of First Class in Belagavi, which transferred the case to the special court for people’s representative in Bengaluru.
Ravi, who was being brought by the police from Belagavi to Bengaluru, some 500 kilometers away, was released by the police midway, in Davangere soon after the high court granted him an interim bail, ordering his “immediate release”. The BJP party workers and leaders who were following Ravi’s car like a shadow turned jubilant on hearing the court verdict. The BJP leaders addressed a press meet in Davangere along with Ravi, and dubbed the Congress government as “dictatorship”.
Soon after his release Ravi claimed that the Siddaramaiah government was trying to “kill” him as he was taken around the Belagavi district all through the night after his dramatic arrest from Suvarna Soudha, where the state Legislature was in session.
“The police gave me no notice before arresting me and took me around four districts and nearly 50 villages all through the night, in a bid to break my morale. But I am grateful that party leaders and party workers stood by me and gave me strength. I reiterate that the judgement has upheld the truth. Congress is using the police force against us."
State BJP president BY Vijayendra alleged Ravi’s arrest was a “political conspiracy”. “If a legislator faces such a grave situation, cannot imagine the plight of a common man. The government has displayed its goonda behaviour. The party will decide its next course of action. The police who illegally arrested Ravi took him around in circles and every 30 minutes, senior officers were calling the police accompanying Ravi. The police have flouted all laws. The party leaders and cadres spent anxious moments as the police did not take Ravi to Bengaluru as informed earlier,” said Vijayendra, adding that the High Court had cracked its whip against the state government and the police.
LOP R Ashok stated he had to wait for five hours at Khanapur police station for Ravi.
“I hold a constitutional post. But the Belagavi Commissioner could not care less about any of it. He was taking instructions from his higher-ups. The Assembly and Parliament are places where the elected representatives are free to express their opinions. Why should Ravi apologise when he has done nothing wrong? The charges are yet to be proved. Around 50 people had entered the Suvarna Soudha and threatened that Ravi's body would be sent as a parcel to Chikmagalur (his hometown). How did these protestors enter Suvarna Soudha? Why did the police take an MLC to a deserted stone quarry in a forest? What did they intend to do? The police need to answer many questions,” said Ashok adding the party condemned the highhandedness of the police and would stand with Ravi.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleged Ravi was a “habitual offender” and asked if the BJP leaders endorsed his remarks against a woman.