Derogatory remarks row: Council chairman says no recordings available

Bengaluru, PTI: The Karnataka Legislative Council chairman Basavaraj Horatti on Monday clarified that the contentious conversation between Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and BJP MLC C T Ravi in the council hall on December 19 was not recorded and anything being circulated as recording is fake. Laxmi Hebbalkar accused Ravi of using a derogatory word against her during this conversation that took place moments after Horatti adjourned the house for a while.

Protests and counter protests ensued and Ravi was arrested at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises in Belagavi following the minister's accusation. Speaking the reporters here regarding this issue, Horatti said nothing was recorded after the adjournment of the Legislative Council on December 19. "There are no videos available with us regarding that incident. Only we can have the authentic audios, videos and records," Horatti said pointing that no one outside the Council is allowed to take videos and record audios. If anyone outside the council has a video on this that should be sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

Based on the FSL report we will take action,” Horatti told reporters. Ravi was arrested on December 19 and was later released after High Court observed that his arrest was illegal as due process of law was not followed. To a question if someone recorded the proceedings, Horatti wondered how anyone could provide a video since phones and private video cameras are not permitted in the House.

When he was told that a video was in circulation where Ravi is purportedly heard using derogatory words, the Council chairman said, “Nothing has been recorded after the adjournment of the House. If someone is saying that it is recorded then it is fake. It is not related to us.”