Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 20: In a major relief to BJP MLC C T Ravi, the Supreme Court on May 20 stayed criminal proceedings against him in a case filed over alleged use of obscene language against Karnataka minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar during the winter session held in Belagavi.
The court was hearing Ravi’s petition seeking to quash the criminal case filed by Hebbalkar. A bench comprising Justice M M Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal issued a stay on trial proceedings and also issued notice to the counsel appearing for Hebbalkar.
Earlier, the Karnataka High Court had dismissed Ravi’s plea to quash the case, following which he approached the Supreme Court.
The alleged incident took place on December 19, the last day of the winter session of the legislature in Belagavi. During protests staged by Congress members in the Legislative Council over a remark by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a heated exchange broke out between BJP and Congress legislators. It was during this exchange that Ravi allegedly used obscene language against Hebbalkar, prompting her to file a complaint. The state government later ordered a CID probe into the incident.
The matter has also been referred to the ethics committee for further action.