New Delhi, May 19 -- In a development involving legislative privilege and freedom of speech within elected bodies, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the trial proceedings against CT Ravi, member of the Karnataka legislative council, who is facing criminal charges over an allegedly derogatory speech made on the council floor in December 2024.
A bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal was hearing Ravi's appeal against a Karnataka High Court order that had declined to quash the FIR registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for offences under Section 75 (sexual harassment) and Section 79 (outraging the modesty of a woman).
The charges stem from a complaint lodged by Congress legislator Laxmi Hebbalkar, allegi...