Supreme Court Halts Criminal Proceedings Against Karnataka BJP Leader CT Ravi

Supreme Court's Intervention

On Monday, the Supreme Court intervened to suspend the criminal proceedings against CT Ravi, a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council and a Bharatiya Janata Party leader. This decision pertains to a case involving allegedly offensive remarks he made about Congress minister Laxmi Hebbalkar during a session in the state Assembly.

A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal reviewed a petition challenging a Karnataka High Court ruling from May 2, which had declined to dismiss the criminal charges against Ravi.

During a heated exchange in the Assembly on December 19, Hebbalkar accused Ravi of labeling Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a 'drug addict.' In retaliation, she referred to Ravi as a 'murderer,' alluding to his purported involvement in a 2019 road rage incident. This back-and-forth escalated, leading Ravi to allegedly use a sexually derogatory term against her.

Following these events, Hebbalkar lodged a first information report against Ravi, who was subsequently charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for sexual harassment and for actions that could be seen as outraging a woman's modesty.

On Monday, the Supreme Court issued a notice regarding the case and put a hold on the trial court proceedings.

In his defense, Ravi argued that his comments were made within the context of parliamentary proceedings, thus falling under the immunity typically afforded to MPs during such discussions. He also pointed out that the Civil Procedure Code provisions prevent the arrest of legislators during parliamentary sessions and for a period of 40 days thereafter.

Ravi was arrested in Belagavi on December 19 but was released on bail two days later. Earlier in January, the High Court had also paused any coercive actions against him while it considered his request to dismiss the complaint entirely.