C.T. Ravi arrested over his ‘obscene’ remarks on Laxmi Hebbalkar

Former Minister and former BJP national general secretary, C.T. Ravi, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly making an obscene remark against Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on the floor of the Legislative Council.

Former Minister and former BJP national general secretary, C.T. Ravi, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly making an obscene remark against Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on the floor of the Legislative Council.

This episode, which triggered protests and acrimonious scenes inside and outside the House, brought the Winter Session of the Legislative Council here to an unceremonious end on Thursday.

Parallelly, Speaker U.T. Khader referred the matter to the Privileges Committee of the House, amidst boycott by BJP members, as the issue was raised in the Assembly as well.

The Belagavi police arrested Mr. Ravi from outside Suvarna Vidhana Soudha and literally carried him to the police jeep. As per the FIR he has been charged under Sections 75 and 79 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita by the Hirebagewadi Station Police, based on a complaint filed by the Minister’s personal assistant.

The incident occurred when when the House was adjourned following commotion over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on B.R. Ambedkar, with both ruling and Opposition members indulging in sloganeering and accusing each other of disgracing Ambedkar.

Although the House was adjourned, the members continued to raise slogans. At one point, Mr. Ravi made a comment against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, resulting in Ms. Hebbalkar hitting back.

Mr. Ravi allegedly used the obscene word against her at this point, leaving her furious and shouting at him. The Minister left the House in a huff after informing that she would complain against Mr. Ravi. She was joined by other Congress members.