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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
