Karnataka High Court Upholds Case Against BJP MLC CT Ravi for Derogatory Remarks

Court Decision on CT Ravi's Remarks

The Karnataka High Court has decided not to dismiss a criminal case against Bharatiya Janata Party MLC CT Ravi, who is accused of making derogatory comments about Congress minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.

Justice M Nagaprasanna stated that the remarks made by Ravi do not fall under the legislative immunity typically afforded to lawmakers, as they were unrelated to his official responsibilities.

Hebbalkar lodged a first information report against Ravi in December, leading to charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerning sexual harassment and actions that could outrage a woman's modesty.

On December 19, during a tumultuous session in the Karnataka Assembly, Hebbalkar accused Ravi of labeling Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a 'drug addict.'

In retaliation, Hebbalkar referred to Ravi as a 'murderer,' alluding to his alleged involvement in a 2019 road rage incident, which prompted Ravi to respond with a sexually derogatory term, further intensifying the conflict in the Assembly.

Ravi was arrested in Belagavi on December 19 and was released on bail two days later.

In January, the High Court also paused any coercive measures against Ravi while it deliberated on his request to dismiss the complaint entirely.