Ravi, Hebbalkar's remarks row outside council's scope: Horatti

Karnataka legislative council chairman Basavaraj Horatti on Monday said the controversy involving BJP MLC CT Ravi and state women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar was a "closed chapter" as the incident lies beyond the council's jurisdiction.

- HT Correspondent

BENGALURU:

The chairman reiterated that the incident, having occurred post-adjournment, falls outside the council's scope. "It is a closed chapter. I discussed with the council secretary and other officials regarding the incident, went through all the rule books, and decided to adjourn the House sine die. It has happened outside our purview," he said.

"After the House was adjourned indefinitely, BJP MLC CT Ravi was arrested from the premises of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. Currently, we have not received any complaints from either side. If a complaint on breach of privilege is given, we will initiate action," he added.

Horatti stressed that police intervention in this case was unwarranted. "The police are not supposed to interfere with the incident which took place inside the council. There is no jurisdiction for the police to act in the matter which happened inside the House," he said.

The controversy erupted during a council session when Ravi allegedly used derogatory language against Hebbalkar. Following protests, Ravi was arrested at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, although the high court later ruled his arrest illegal due to procedural lapses.

Minister Hebbalkar Monday released a purported video clip to the media where BJP legislator CT Ravi could be heard using an objectionable word against her at the legislative council. The video came a day after chief minister Siddaramaiah said that there was audio and video evidence to show that the BJP MLC had used a derogatory word against his cabinet colleague.