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3d ago

Karnataka High Court Rules BJP MLC Cannot Claim Immunity in Gender Harassment Case

The court upheld criminal proceedings against C. T. Ravi for alleged derogatory remarks towards Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, stating legislative privilege does not apply to unrelated conduct.

The FIR against Ravi was registered on December 19 last year for comments he allegedly made against Hebbalkar on the floor of the legislative council (PTI)
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Overview

  • The Karnataka High Court dismissed BJP MLC C. T. Ravi’s petition to quash an FIR filed against him for alleged remarks made in December 2024.
  • The court ruled that legislative immunity under Article 194 of the Constitution does not extend to comments unrelated to official legislative business.
  • Ravi allegedly referred to Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar as a 'prostitute,' which the court stated constitutes an offense under Sections 75 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
  • The case will proceed with further investigation by the CID, including a potential request for Ravi's voice sample.
  • The judgment highlights the limits of legislative privilege and underscores the judiciary’s role in addressing allegations of gendered harassment in political institutions.