CT Ravi slams police for 'violating' human rights
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka BJP MLC C T Ravi, who has been arrested for allegedly using a derogatory word against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, on Friday accused the police of "violating" human rights, as he alleged that they took him on rounds the entire night to various places in the district.
The former BJP national general secretary, who had bandages on his head, even claimed that police were behaving on the directions of someone from the "top", as he hit out at the state government and the administration, calling it "dictatorial".
Based on the complaint lodged by Minister Hebbalkar, a case was registered against the BJP leader under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, on Thursday.
Ravi allegedly used a derogatory word against Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council on Thursday, when the House was adjourned for a while.
"I have sustained injuries while in Khanapur (station). I have no clarity how. Without any humanity, without any consideration that I'm a legislator, the entire night I have been taken on rounds. They (police) have violated human rights. They are indulging in atrocities," Ravi told reporters.
Stating that in his 35 years of political life he has never seen such things, he said, "There is a dictatorial mindset. From Khanapur to where all they have taken me you see. Where is Savadatti, where is Ramadurga. They had taken me to Dharwad road and they are now taking me somewhere."
Alleging that police were getting directions time to time from the "top", Ravi said, "who is giving the directions, I don't know. They (police) are behaving accordingly. They too are helpless."
He said he had come to Belagavi to attend the session and his "caretaker" was Council Chairman. "There seems to be malintention of giving me mental torture. This is a conspiracy against me."
Pointing out the conduct of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Minister Hebbalkar, Ravi said he was publicly threatened.
"There were three attempts to attack me at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. We have given this in writing to the Chairman and have taken endorsement. Later, we have also given everything in writing at Khanapur police station. Despite that there was no FIR...there is dictatorship here," he added.
A video of Ravi sitting on the street and questioning the police has surfaced.
"...are you planning to murder me? Why did you bring me here? Your intention is to murder me. Why are you taking me on rounds like this? From Khanapur to whereall you took me? Why are you doing this? Three hours after I sustained injury you gave me first aid," Ravi can be seen questioning police officials who were trying to convince him.
There are also visulas of police physically lifting Ravi and making him sit in the police vehicle.
Earlier, police sources had said, Ravi will be brought to Bengaluru and is scheduled to be produced before the people's representative court there on Friday. However, officials are yet to confirm on the next move.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
