The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed state authorities to refrain from taking coercive action against Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Legislative Council C T Ravi in connection with an police complaint alleging inflammatory and derogatory remarks.
Justice M Nagaprasanna issued the interim direction while presiding over a single-judge bench to hear a petition filed by Ravi, who is seeking to quash the case against him. The court scheduled the matter for further hearing on Friday.
Background Of The Legal Case
The First Information Report was registered on Saturday at the Chikkamagaluru Town Police Station following a complaint submitted by Mudasir Pasha, president of the local Jamia Committee. Law enforcement officials filed the case under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which penalises the creation, publication, or dissemination of false statements, rumours, or reports intended to incite hatred, ill-will, or enmity among religious, racial, linguistic, or caste groups.
The legal proceedings stem from an address delivered by the legislator on Thursday evening during a demonstration organized by the BJP district unit at Azad Park Circle in Chikkamagaluru regarding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test paper leak.
Escalation At The Residence
Developments intensified on Sunday when police officers arrived at Ravi’s residence in Chikkamagaluru to deliver an official notice instructing him to present himself for questioning. A confrontation occurred between law enforcement personnel and the legislator alongside his supporters regarding the service of the document.
Following Ravi’s refusal to accept the notice, police officers affixed a copy to the wall beside his entrance gate prior to their departure. Supporters of the legislator subsequently removed the notice and staged a demonstration outside the property, voicing slogans against the state administration and the police force.
Legislator Denies Wrongdoing
Addressing journalists in Koppal on Monday and outlining his position in a social media message published Sunday, Ravi asserted that he had not uttered unparliamentary language or directed comments against any specific religious group.
The MLC explained that his address had specifically criticized an incident in Delhi where a cleric allegedly attempted to set fire to the fuel tank of a jeep during a student demonstration. He maintained that criticizing an individual’s actions did not equate to insulting an entire community.
Ravi further accused the investigating officer of acting out of political motivation and misusing his uniform, asserting that the case was registered under political pressure and that law enforcement appeared to be functioning under the influence of the ruling party. He added that he had already informed the police of his intention to present himself at the station after two days due to prior commitments before officers arrived at his home.
