Driven through isolated areas, fearing for my life: CT Ravi
21-Dec-2024 07:13 PM 7895
Bengaluru, Dec 21 (Reporter) Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Minister CT Ravi on Saturday levelled serious allegations against the police and Congress leaders, accusing them of orchestrating a politically motivated attack against him. He claimed wrongful detention, physical abuse, and threats to his life in an incident that has sparked a political uproar in the state. In a press briefing, Ravi recounted a harrowing last 30-hour ordeal following his detention over an alleged unparliamentary remark against Karnataka Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, claiming he was driven through multiple districts under dubious circumstances and deprived of basic necessities. "For nearly four hours, starting at 11.45 pm, the police drove me through isolated areas, frequently stopping to make phone calls. It was evident they were acting on instructions from someone influential," he alleged. The route included deserted roads through Savadatti, Ramdurg, and Yadwad, which heightened his fears. Despite feeling nauseated, Ravi said he was denied water and access to a toilet. "At one point, the car reached a dead end near a stone quarry. Fearing for my life, I confronted the police and demanded to know if they intended to kill me. Reporters, who had followed us on motorbikes, arrived at the location, and I informed them of my plight," he said. Ravi also claimed he sustained a head injury during a scuffle with the police. "They eventually took me to a primary health centre in Ankalagi for treatment but refused to provide me with the medical report," he stated. The BJP MLC credited his survival to the live location he shared with his wife, which enabled BJP leaders and party workers to track him. "Their intervention likely prevented a worse outcome," Ravi added. He was produced before the JMFC court in Belagavi the following morning, where he detailed his ordeal. "I shared every detail with the judge and emphasised that I feared for my safety throughout the episode," he said. The incident stemmed from a heated session in the Karnataka Legislative Council, where tensions flared between BJP and Congress members. Ravi claimed that during a temporary adjournment, he stepped out to address the media and later learned that Congress leaders had accused him of using derogatory language. According to Ravi, the Council Chairman found no evidence to support the allegations after hearing arguments from both sides. However, the situation escalated when Congress leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar, allegedly hurled verbal abuses and made baseless accusations against him. "Marshals had to intervene to protect me from physical threats. Some individuals even threatened to send my dead body to my hometown," Ravi recounted. Following the session, the MLC claimed he was taken into custody without being informed of the charges or issued a notice. He was reportedly moved between the Hirebagewadi and Khanapur police stations, where his requests to file a zero FIR against those who allegedly attacked him were denied. Ravi also alleged that his advocate, arranged by a local BJP MLA, was initially denied access until senior BJP leaders intervened. He accused the Congress of orchestrating the episode to intimidate him and tarnish his reputation. "The behaviour of the police was highly suspicious and unacceptable. This was clearly a political conspiracy, and I demand accountability from those responsible," he stated. The BJP has strongly condemned the incident, calling for an independent inquiry into the alleged police misconduct and the involvement of Congress leaders. "Such misuse of power is a threat to democracy and must be addressed immediately," senior BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said. Congress leaders, however, have dismissed Ravi’s allegations as a ploy to divert attention from accusations against him during the Council session. "These claims are baseless and an attempt to shift the focus from his misconduct," a Congress spokesperson said...////...
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