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Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti clarified on Monday that the conversation between Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and BJP MLC CT Ravi, which sparked controversy on December 19, was not recorded, and any circulated recordings are fake.
Hebbalkar had accused Ravi of using derogatory language against her after the Council was adjourned for a break. The incident led to protests, and Ravi was arrested at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi following Hebbalkar’s complaint. However, Ravi was later released after the High Court ruled his arrest illegal, citing the failure to follow due process.
Horatti, addressing reporters, emphasised that no recordings were made after the adjournment. “There are no videos available with us regarding that incident. Only we can have the authentic audios, videos, and records,” he stated. He also explained that outside parties are not allowed to record proceedings, and any such recordings should be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for verification.
When asked about the circulated video claiming to show Ravi using derogatory language, Horatti firmly denied its authenticity. “Nothing has been recorded after the adjournment of the House. If someone claims it is recorded, then it is fake,” he said, labeling the matter a “closed chapter” as it occurred outside the Council’s purview.
Horatti further clarified that he had reviewed the incident with the Council Secretary and officials and decided to adjourn the House sine die. He added that the incident, being outside the Council’s jurisdiction, was a matter for the police and government to handle. “We have not received any complaints from either side, so we cannot act,” Horatti explained.
He also responded to a letter from the Karnataka State Women’s Commission chairperson, Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, who had written seeking a high-level investigation. Horatti stated that Hebbalkar’s approach to the Women’s Commission or the police was a personal matter and that the commission had no authority to demand an investigation from him.
The controversy surrounding the incident has sparked a debate over the roles of the Council and external bodies, with Horatti maintaining that the matter is outside his jurisdiction and should be addressed by the police.
Hebbalkar alleged that Ravi called her a “prostitute” on the last day of the winter session of Karnataka Legislative assembly.
