No coercive steps against BJP MLC and Opposition Whip N Ravikumar: Karnataka High Court

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the police not to take coercive steps against BJP MLC and Opposition Whip N Ravikumar in connection with a crime registered against him for certain inappropriate comments against state Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.

Justice SR Krishna Kumar passed this interim protection to RaviKumar until his petition seeking quashing of the case is heard on July 8, Tuesday.

On July 1, 2025, during a demonstration near the Vidhana Soudha, Ravikumar allegedly said, “The Chief Secretary works at night for the State government and all day for the Chief Minister.”

On July 4, 2025, the Vidhana Soudha police had registered the FIR against Ravi Kumar under BNS sections 351 (3) for criminal intimidation, 75 (3) for sexual harassment and 79 for expressing word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman.

Subsequently, Ravikumar had issued a clarification denying any inappropriate intentions, stating that he merely meant to highlight the Chief Secretary's busy schedule. Challenging the registration of the crime, Ravi Kumar contended that the proceedings were politically motivated and his comments had a specific context. He claimed that the state administration is misinterpreting his statements for political advantage. It was further submitted that the complainant, an activist, is neither the victim nor an aggrieved person but has filed the complaint only to please their political masters.

On the other hand, the State Public Prosecutor BA Belliyappa opposed grant of interim relief to Ravikumar arguing that it would affect police morale. He further said that there are concerns from the female IAS officers over the incident and also referenced previous controversial statements made by Ravikumar.

Earlier, on May 24, 2025, Ravikumar had aired offensive remarks against Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum stating that she has been working on the orders of the Congress Party and further said, “She seems to have come from Pakistan”. Ravikumar’s petition challenging the crime registered in this regard is pending before the high court.