The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the state government not to take any coercive action against BJP MLC C.T. Ravi in connection with an FIR registered over his alleged derogatory remarks against Muslims during a protest related to the NEET examination controversy.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the interim order while hearing Ravi’s petition challenging the FIR. The court also questioned the nature of the allegations and sought clarity on the exact contents of the speech.
“What did you say? Against whom did you make the statement? Did you ask it (FIR copy) in simple language or in an upper voice? Get the transcript,” Justice Nagaprasanna orally observed during the hearing.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 31. Until then, the court directed that no coercive steps be taken against the BJP leader.
FIR Registered Over Speech During NEET Protest
The case relates to a speech Ravi allegedly delivered at Azad Park in Chikkamagaluru on July 23 after a protest rally organised by the group Youth for Nation.
According to the complaint, Ravi questioned why members of the Muslim community were participating in protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. The FIR alleges that he said, “Mullas (Maulvis) had no connection with the NEET examination,” and further claimed that they were demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister and the Prime Minister despite having no link to the issue.
He also allegedly questioned the connection between the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the NEET controversy, claiming that anti-national elements had misused the student protests.
Based on a complaint filed on July 24, Chikkamagaluru Town Police registered an FIR against Ravi under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with statements that may promote enmity or hatred.
Ravi’s Counsel Challenges FIR
Senior Advocate M. Arun Shyam, appearing for Ravi, argued that the speech was delivered in the context of the NEET protests and did not hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.
He also submitted that the complainant was a third party and questioned the manner in which the police attempted to proceed against Ravi.
“The allegation is only that he spoke at a public meeting. The police came with a notice without serving the FIR. It is my right to get a copy of the FIR. He asked for details of the case, after which the officers went back,” Shyam told the court.
State Alleges Ravi Obstructed Police
Opposing the plea, State Public Prosecutor B.N. Jagadeesh referred to another incident involving Ravi’s interaction with police officers.
The prosecutor alleged that when officers went to serve a notice under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Ravi gathered his supporters, conducted what the prosecution described as a “kangaroo court,” and abused the police personnel.
The State also sought permission to play a video recording of the incident before the court.
After hearing both sides, the High Court directed the government to formally enter its appearance and granted interim protection to Ravi until the next hearing.
The FIR, initially registered at the Chikkamagaluru Town Police Station, has since been transferred to the Special Court for MPs and MLAs in Bengaluru. The High Court will take up the matter again on July 31.
