Communal hate speech case: Interim relief for BJP MLA Harish Poonja
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to BJP MLA Harish Poonja in connection with a communal hate speech case registered at Uppinangady Police Station.
Poonja, the MLA from Beltangady, had filed a petition seeking to quash the FIR filed against him. During the hearing, his counsel argued that the FIR sections invoked did not apply to the alleged incident. They contended that Poonja had not made any remarks that incited hatred between communities.
The government counsel informed the court that a charge sheet would be submitted and sought dismissal of the petition.
Advocate S. Balan, appearing for the complainant Ibrahim, opposed the plea stating that the petition was not amended and hence should not be accepted. He said Poonja had made derogatory remarks against the Muslim community by calling them "descendants of butchers," which was both unnecessary and offensive. Balan also pointed out that there was video evidence of the statement.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court bench granted an interim stay on the FIR proceedings.
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Belagavi youth’s murder case projected as road accident, cracked in Uttara Kannada; Three arrested
Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.
Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.
The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.
However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.
Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.
Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.
SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.
