The political atmosphere in Karnataka has been charged following alleged derogatory remarks made by BJP MLC C.T. Ravi against Congress Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar during the Karnataka Legislative Council on December 19. The incident, which escalated tensions between the two parties, has led to the case being handed over for investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) amid substantial political fallout.
On Tuesday, Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the decision to transfer the investigation to the CID, following complaints from Hebbalkar. Earlier, Ravi allegedly used slurs against Hebbalkar during heated exchanges, prompting her to file complaints with the police. Ravi was arrested on December 19 after the altercation, which took place at Belagavi's Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. The Home Minister stated, "I have ordered a CID investigation. The police will have to perform their duty, and the truth must be revealed."
Belagavi Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang noted the CID would handle the investigation, as there were conflicting accounts surrounding the incident, necessitating scrutiny. "Ravi has said he did not use derogatory words, but others, including witnesses, claim otherwise," stated Marbaniang.
Ravi’s arrest incited backlash and raised questions about police conduct. Leaders from the Karnataka BJP, including R. Ashoka and former CM Basavaraj Bommai, have openly criticized the police for alleged mistreatment of Ravi. According to Ashoka, Ravi was subjected to improper treatment during his detention. He remarked, "We briefed the Governor on how BJP MLC Ravi was arrested, tortured, and denied food, taken to undisclosed areas."
Ravi himself has been vocal about his treatment, alleging police violated his rights and moved him to various locations under suspicious circumstances. He has called for the inquiry to be conducted under the oversight of a sitting judge, emphasizing the need for the investigation to occur without political pressure.
The situation took another turn when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah cited security concerns as the rationale for Ravi's treatment. This led to accusations from Ashoka, claiming, "If C.T. Ravi could be treated like this, what about the plight of the common man?" He demanded the Governor take action, asserting, "This should be a model case to uphold constitutional rights."
The matter has now escalated to include demands from the BJP for judicial oversight and accountability from the state government. They have urged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to intervene and guarantee the inquiry's impartiality.
Hebbalkar has challenged Ravi to swear before the deity at Dharmasthala—an important Hindu pilgrimage site—regarding his alleged remarks, emphasizing her commitment to litigate the matter until truth prevails. "I invite you to take Pramaana (oath) before Lord Manjunatheshwara and speak the truth," Hebbalkar declared.
Despite the tension surrounding the event and its aftermath, the Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraja Horatti previously referred to the incident as resolved. This call for closure has drawn rebuke from the opposition, with several leaders arguing the police's actions have justifiably rendered the matter significant enough to warrant continued investigation.
Parameshwara noted the procedural challenges involved and reiterated the importance of due process. "There may have been delays caused by the necessity to verify witness accounts, but we cannot disregard any claims of impropriety—investigation is our duty," he said.
The political fallout continues to unravel as the BJP and Congress trade barbs over the validity of the investigation, and Ravi's experiences under police custody raise broader questions about the effectiveness and neutrality of law enforcement, especially when political stakes are high. The investigation will certainly remain under scrutiny from both sides as the CID begins its work.
With the outcry for justice and the allegations of police mismanagement, the culmination of these events could set significant precedents for handling political disputes and police conduct within the state. It serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between politics, law enforcement, and the protection of individual rights.
