Advocate terms BJP leader CT Ravi’s arrest ‘illegal’, alleges guidelines not followed

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 20 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader CT Ravi's advocate, Sidharth Suman has raised concerns over the legality of the leader's arrest in connection with the 'derogatory' remarks case filed by Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, and said the arrest was not made in compliance with Supreme Court guidelines.
The advocate pointed out that these legal directives, which require certain protocols to be followed during an arrest, were not adhered to in CT Ravi's case.
Speaking to ANI, Advocate Sidharth Suman said, "Challenging the illegal arrest of BJP MLC CT Ravi. We have not asked for bail, an interim period that we have asked for is to say that the arrest is not in accordance with the guidelines as laid down by the honourable Supreme Court, which is followed by the High Court of Karnataka, which is also a direction given to the state government as well to follow these guidelines. None of these guidelines have been adhered to. They went ahead and arrested him immediately."
"I am not trying to trivialize the arrest in any manner. The main contentions that we have taken are that if it is an offence which is punishable in 3 years or 1 year, what is the need to have him arrested right away?" said the advocate.
Adding further, he said, "There were certain observations that were made, is that there was an injury that was sustained. How his injury transpired, none of it was justified. The update of the interim relief is 'release forthwith' which means that wherever he is, he will be released. The only condition is that he has to cooperate in the investigation."
BJP leader CT Ravi was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on Friday following his arrest in a 'derogatory' remarks case filed by Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar.
The decision came after the court's single-judge bench, headed by Justice MG Uma, issued an interim order for his release. Ravi had been arrested following allegations stemming from a complaint by Karnataka Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, which led to the legal action.
Speaking after securing release CT Ravi in a statement said, "Our custodian was Chairman, when our custodian clearly said and gave ruling a false case was filed against me and they treated me like a terrorist, let them introspect what have they done, I'm not doing well as I didn't eat properly last night and in the morning. It's a win for the truth, this High Court order clear message that we all must follow the law. Though there was no proof against me I was arrested."
Earlier, the BJP leader was brought to Bengaluru to produce before the People's Representative court in connection to the case earlier in the day.
The BJP leader accused the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government of acting like 'dictators' following his arrest in the case.
"They (state government) have acted like dictators, there is a full stop to everything, dictatorship will not last long," said CT Ravi after he was arrested.

On Friday, Belagavi's Fifth JMFC Court directed BJP leader and MLC CT Ravi to appear before the Special Court for People's Representatives in Bengaluru. The Hirebagewadi police presented their case before the court, seeking a transit warrant for Ravi. The court granted their request and ordered the police to take him into custody as part of the legal process.
CT Ravi also filed a counter-complaint at the Khanapura police station in Belagavi, accusing Congress leaders Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Chamaraja Hattiholi, DK Shivakumar, Saddam, and others of attempting to kill him. He alleged that the police brought him to the Khanapura police station without providing a reason.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar spoke over the 'derogatory' remarks made by CT Ravi during the Karnataka Legislative Assembly session. Speaking to reporters at her residence in Belagavi, she expressed distress over the incident.
She further alleged that CT Ravi used derogatory words against her following this exchange. "I am also a mother. People look up to me, and I hope thousands are inspired to enter politics because of me," she added.
CT Ravi has been suspended from the Legislative Council.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai responded to the case and said, "When there was a slogan Pakistan zindabad, they never arrested anybody, they took time for FCL report for 2 months and then made arrest. Here, no procedure has been done. There is a Police Raj in Karnataka. Investigation must be done and truth must come out and then action must be taken. Police are being misused nowadays."
BJP State President Vijayendra accused the police of acting under pressure from the state government. He also called for statewide protests against Ravi's arrest, asserting that the treatment of the BJP leader was "unpardonable."
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah slammed the BJP's support for party leader CT Ravi.
Siddaramaiah questioned Ravi's conduct, saying, "They are supporting the use of derogatory language towards women. If it is false that CT Ravi used vulgar language, why was he arrested? Normally, women cannot file false complaints about such allegations. I don't know why CT used vulgar language. This is a crime. He was taken to Khanapura for his safety only; people might have started a protest against him, and that's why he was taken away from there (from the city)."
Karnataka Deputy Shivakumar also detailed the incident, alleging that CT Ravi "repeatedly insulted" Hebbalkar.
"There was a discussion in the House on the Union Home Minister insulting BR Ambedkar, and CT Ravi interfered and called Rahul Gandhi a 'drug addict.' When Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar jumped in to defend her party leader, he called her 'prostitute' several times," said Shivakumar.
Shivakumar added, "He used the word 12 times. The media must take this seriously. If you don't have the evidence, I will share it with you." (ANI)