Pramesh S Jain & Yogesh K Porwar
he Karnataka High Court on Friday granted interim bail to BJP leader CT Ravi,who was arrested for allegedly making derogatory comments against woman minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.The court further asked Ravi to cooperate with the investigation.
Justice M G Uma heard the bail application filed by Ravi and passed the order. It said “I am of the opinion that prima facie case is made out by the petitioner for his release on bail.Admittedly the petitioner is an MLA from the opposition party. His absconding or not being available to the investigating officer for investigation does not arise.”
He was released in Davanagere by the Karnataka Police on Friday night following the High Court order.
Victory Of Truth,Says Ravi
After his release,CT Ravi said the case against him was false.
After being granted bail,the former Karnataka minister said that this is victory of truth.He also accused the Congress-led government of treating him like a “terrorist”.
Our custodian is the Chairman,when our custodian clearly said and gave the decision, despite that a false case was filed against me and they treated me like a terrorist,they should introspect what they have done, I am not well because I did not eat properly last night and in the morning.
This is the victory of truth,this order of the High Court has a clear message that we all should follow the law Ravi said.
Ravi while addressing a joint press conference with Vijayendra and Ashoka in Davanagere, stated that truth has prevailed. “Satyameva Jayate,” he stated.
“The police took me around more than 50 villages overnight to torture me mentally and physically.The Congress government used the police force to beg me down.
My party leaders stood by me and gave me courage.The party workers across the state extended their solidarity with me,”he stated.
“I don’t want to talk much about today’s judgment. I had maintained in Belagavi that the truth will win and now the truth has won. I don’t get exalted by this order.
The Congress government is wrong they think they could contain me. I have experienced all these situations 35 years ago and I have become strong,” he stated.
“I have grown stronger by the torture given by the Congress government now. It has made me stronger to serve party workers,” Ravi stated.
On Thursday,CT Ravi was arrested by Karnataka police based on the complaint of Karnataka minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.
The former BJP general secretary allegedly used a derogatory word several times against Hebbalkar during a heated exchange after the House was adjourned shortly after arguments over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on B R Ambedkar.
A case was registered against CT Ravi under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
In a video statement,CT Ravi alleged that the Congress government was planning to assassinate him and said that he underwent custodial torture after the arrest.
In a video message, CT Ravi said,They’re not registering my complaint, they’re not even filing zero FIR.If something happens to me,the Congress Govt must take responsibility. By registering a false case,they’re conspiring to murder me.I have already filed a complaint.”
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Siddaramaiah strongly condemned the incident and slammed the former general secretary of BJP for using such language “C.T. Ravi had used very filthy words for Minister for Women and Child Welfare Lakshmi Hebbalkar.She is my Cabinet colleague,and it amounts to a criminal offence.I don’t know whether she has also complained to the Chairman,” he said.
Swarthak Surya,the son of BJP leader CT Ravi,said he has unwavering faith in his father’s innocence in the derogatory remark case.He said his father would never use such language for anyone, especially women.
He said he was shocked after the allegations were levelled against Ravi. He said his father treats everyone with reverence.
I was shocked when I heard the allegations.I know my father, he would never use such abusive language for anyone, especially women.
He treats everyone with respect,whether young or old.I never doubted my father for a moment,”Surya told reporters.
Talking to the reporters after his father got bail,he said his release was a big relief to the family.
“There were a lot of emotions in the last 24 hours. I was worried a lot, especially when I saw that he was arrested.
I do not even understand why there was such a sudden arrest.Especially considering the fact that he even had a head injury. When he was released, it was a big relief,” he added.
Karnataka minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar has accused Ravi of using derogatory language for her.
No Record Of CT Ravi Using Abusive Language
Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti clarified on Friday that there is “no record of the abusive word used in the council”.
Speaking to the media in Hubballi,Horatti stated that the alleged word claimed to be used by Ravi has not been recorded in the council.