BJP MLC appears before police in Kalaburagi

BJP MLC N. Ravikumar faces FIR for offensive remarks against Deputy Commissioner, appears before police for investigation.

BJP MLC N. Ravikumar appeared before the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Kalaburagi on Monday in connection with an FIR registered against him for his recent offensive remarks against Deputy Commissioner B. Fauzia Tarrannum.

During the Kalaburagi Chalo rally in the city on May 24, Mr. Ravikumar made derogatory remarks against the IAS officer stating that “she might have come from Pakistan” and his remarks created an outrage.

Following his comments, an FIR was lodged at the Station Bazaar Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on a complaint filed by Kalaburagi Samudaya president Dattatraya Ikkalaki.

On May 29, the High Court of Karnataka took suo motu cognisance and directed Mr. Ravikumar to tender an apology to Ms. Tarannum and also ordered him to appear before the Kalaburagi Police on Monday in connection with the case.

However, Mr. Ravikumar who made himself available for investigation clarified that the remarks were unintentional and a slip of tongue.

BJP leaders, including MLC Shashil G. Namoshi, the former district BJP president (rural unit) Shivaraj Patil Raddewadagi, and party workers accompanied Mr. Ravikumar to the Assistant Commissioner of Police’s office. However, the police, who had set up barricades, stopped them from entering the police station.