The Supreme Court stayed trial proceedings against Karnataka BJP MLC CT Ravi, who was facing charges under the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for allegedly making sexist remarks against Congress leader Laxmi Hebbalkar during a Legislative Council session in December 2024.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Monday stayed the trial proceedings against Karnataka BJP MLC CT Ravi.
He was facing criminal charges for allegedly making sexist remarks targeting Congress leader and Minister for Women and Child Development, Laxmi Hebbalkar, inside the Karnataka Legislative Council in December 2024.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal, was hearing CT Ravi’s plea challenging a Karnataka High Court order. The High Court had earlier rejected his request to cancel the case filed against him.
The criminal charges were framed under the newly introduced Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Ravi was booked under Section 75 (related to sexual harassment) and Section 79 (related to insulting the modesty of a woman).
CT Ravi’s main argument before the top court was that his comments were made while the Legislative Council was in session. He claimed that under the law, legislators enjoy immunity for any statements made during House proceedings, similar to the protection given to Members of Parliament.
Mr. Ravi was arrested on December 20, 2024, just hours after the complaint was filed by Laxmi Hebbalkar. However, he was released on bail the same day.
The Karnataka High Court took strong objection to the way he was arrested, saying, “Release him immediately… wherever he is.”
The court added that the police had not served him a legal notice before arrest, which is required by protocol in such cases. As per the rules, police must issue notice before questioning or arresting a person, unless it’s an urgent matter.
After being released, Mr. Ravi expressed anger and said he had been wrongly targeted by the Congress government.
“… a false case was filed against me and they (the Congress) treated me like a terrorist. Now let them introspect (on) what have they done. This is a win for the truth… the order is a clear message that we must all follow the law. There was no proof (but still) I was arrested,” he said.
What Did Laxmi Hebbalkar Say?
Laxmi Hebbalkar had filed the complaint after a heated moment during a session in the Council. She was part of a protest in the House, reacting to a controversial statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had said “Ambedkar is the fashion”.
She recalled that while she was sitting silently, CT Ravi used insulting language.
“In response I asked, ‘Even you have been in accidents… does that make you a murder?'”
She further alleged that CT Ravi’s reply included “derogatory language” and gestures which amounted to sexual harassment under the new criminal law.
The arrest of CT Ravi triggered a fierce political war between BJP and Congress in Karnataka. The scenes inside the House got out of control, with shoving and pushing between the leaders of both parties. Videos of the incident quickly spread on social media, sparking public outrage.
Reacting to the controversy, senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, strongly defended CT Ravi.
“This is nothing but ‘goondagiri’. CT Ravi was assaulted on the floor of the House (but) the Chairperson ruled no such incident took place. We don’t know if a law-and-order system exists… we will protest.”
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded sharply to BJP’s defence of CT Ravi. He accused them of protecting those who use vulgar language against women.
“If it is false CT Ravi used vulgar language then why was he arrested? Normally, women cannot file false complaints about such allegations. This is a crime.”
