Bengaluru, 4 July

Karnataka High Court on Friday granted interim relief to BJP Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and Opposition Whip SN Ravikumar in connection with a case against him claiming that he made insulting and vulgar remarks about the State Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.

Justice SR Krishna Kumar ordered the State not to take any coercive action against Ravikumar until 8 July, when his plea is scheduled to be heard. In the meantime, Ravikumar must cooperate with the ongoing police investigation, the Court added.

The case stems from Ravikumar’s remarks on the Chief Secretary. He had allegedly said, “The Chief Secretary works at night for the State government and all day for the Chief Minister."

The comments drew immense backlash from several sections of society, resulting in the filing of the criminal case.

Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam representing Ravikumar called the proceedings politically motivated. He said that there was a context to Ravikumar's remarks and that the government was twisting the statement to suit their own purposes.

The State, represented by Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) BA Belliyappa, opposed any grant of stay on the case, arguing that police morale be hit if the Court were to halt the investigation.

The court, however, noted that complaint seemed to be based on TV report, while telling the State not to take any coercive action.

The BJP thrives on having individuals like him in the Legislative Assembly and Council. This isn’t the first time he has made such remarks, he has previously targeted Kalaburagi DC Fouzia Taranum as well…..The BJP's internal echo chamber is such that the more divisive their statements are, and the more they demean women — the more they are appreciated and encouraged by their high command.

Mansoor Ali Khan, Congress AICC Secretary told Salar Digital YouTube