Ravi's remarks amount to criminal offence; evidence available against BJP leader: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called out Bharatiya Janata Party leader C.T. Ravi for his alleged defamatory remarks against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Sunday. Siddaramaiah said Ravi’s act amounts to criminal offence and they have evidence against him in the case.

Addressing presspersons, the chief minister said Ravi’s remarks were highly condemnable and it did not suit the stature of someone who was national secretary of the ruling party in the Centre. Siddaramaiah said a police probe is underway in the case and there wasn’t any need for a judicial probe in the case.

"We are getting the matter investigated because it constitutes a criminal offence. Then why is he (Ravi) asking for judicial inquiry?" Siddaramaiah asked. Asserting Ravi’s act amounts to a criminal offence, Siddaramaiah said, "There is audio and video evidence of him using derogatory language. Many Members of the Legislative Council heard him.”

Karnataka police arrested the BJP leader on Thursday for making derogatory remarks against Woman and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on the last day of the Legislative Council’s winter session. Apparently, Ravi made the offensive comments while members of the Congress party were protesting inside the Council condemning Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks against Ambedkar.

Police have registered a case against Ravi under Section 75 (sexual harassment) and Section 79 (outraging the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. However, the Karnataka High Court granted bail on Friday and rapped the police for not following due procedures during the arrest. Ravi, who was being taken to Bengaluru from Belagavi, had to be released midway, at Davangere, as the High Court ordered his immediate release.

Addressing presspersons on Saturday, Ravi charged the behaviour of the police was suspicious and that Congress was hatching a “plot” to kill him.