“Report every week or lose bail,” Prabhakar Bhat gets bail with conditions; here’s what court said
Mangaluru: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, booked under serious charges over making derogatory communal hate speeches against Muslim women and children, was granted anticipatory bail on Wednesday, December 10.
The Puttur Fifth Additional District and Sessions Court, which heard the case, has imposed strict conditions, including reporting to the police station every Thursday.
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The court has granted the anticipatory bail application filed by Bhat under Section 482 of the BNSS, with the following conditions:
1. The accused in Crime No. 118/2025 lodged at Puttur Rural Police Station should appear at the station and be released on a personal bond of Rs. 50,000 and one surety of the same amount.
2. The accused should surrender before the officer of the Puttur Rural Police Station within 20 days.
3. He should appear before the investigating officer every Thursday between 10 am and 1 pm for a period of six months and cooperate in the investigation; failure to comply with the above can lead to cancellation of the bail.
4. The accused should not intimidate the complainant or other prosecution witnesses and should not directly or indirectly interfere with the evidence. He (the accused) also must be present regularly for all court dates.
5. He shall not indulge in similar offences in the future.
6. The accused should submit the self-bond and sureties to the court within 20 days from the date of issuing of this order.
7. The accused should submit his proof of address to the investigating officer and the court.
8. In case of violation of any of the above conditions, bail granted to the accused will be cancelled.
The case pertains to the incident reported back in October 22, when Bhat allegedly made derogatory remarks against Muslim women and children during the Deepotsava program organised near Uppalige in Puttur Taluk.
Following the incident, Eshwari Padmunja Janavadi Mahila Sangathan filed a complaint at the Puttur Rural Police Station, accusing Bhat of inciting hate. Acting on the complaint, the police registered an FIR against Prabhakar Bhat and the organisers of the Deepotsava program under sections 79, 196, 299, 302 and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS)-2023.
The police had issued a notice directing Bhat to appear for an inquiry. In response, Bhat moved the court seeking anticipatory bail.
Meanwhile, senior advocate Satheeshan had filed an application under sections 338–339 of the BNSS on behalf of the complainant, seeking permission to file a counter-application and argue against bail. The court granted the application, allowing him to argue and submit a counter to the bail plea.
In the meantime, the public prosecutor also filed a counter-application to Prabhakar Bhat's bail application.
Complainant Eshwari Padmunja’s lawyer also submitted a lengthy application, spanning dozens of pages, to the court regarding Prabhakar Bhat's bail application.
Senior advocate Satheeshan had provided the court with the history of 13 cases against Prabhakar Bhat and the Supreme Court judgments.
After hearing all sides, the court granted anticipatory bail to Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat with the above conditions.
So far, 12 hate speech cases have been registered against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat.
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Trekking without nature guide won't be allowed; Karnataka forest minister releases SOP
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday said that trekking will no longer be permitted on any approved trekking routes under the forest department, without a certified nature guide equipped with GPS-enabled walkie-talkies.
Speaking after releasing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) formulated for the safety of trekkers, he said that there will be one local nature guide for every 10 trekkers. A maximum of 150 trekkers will be allowed per batch on any trekking route.
According to him, online registration for trekking is mandatory. Even if a single individual registers for a particular day, a guide will still be provided, and trekking without a guide will not be allowed.
He said the SOP was introduced following recent incidents, including a woman from Kerala who went missing for three days in the forests during a trek at Tadiandamol hill in Kodagu, and a minor girl who went missing and was later found dead near Manikyadhara in Chikkamagaluru, which is outside forest jurisdiction.
In a statement, the Khandre's office said that nature guides will be mandatorily equipped with GPS-enabled walkie-talkies on all trekking routes. "Additionally, a mobile app containing trekking route maps will be installed on trekkers' phones. This will help locate trekkers if they lose their way", it said.
As per the SOP, before the trek begins, trekkers will be briefed about the distance, duration, and local conditions.
"Instructions on how to respond if wildlife is encountered will also be provided. Loud devices, sharp metal objects, weapons, and campfires are strictly prohibited on trekking routes," it said.
The SOP further stated that separate toilets for men and women and drinking water facilities will be provided at base camps.
Directional arrow markings will guide trekkers along the route, and rest points will be created along the way, it said.
Citing the SOP, the statement said that nature guides must ensure that no trekker moves ahead of them or is left behind. Headcounts must be conducted at base camps and rest points.
"Guides must communicate with the base camp via walkie-talkie every 30 minutes. If there is no communication within an hour of the trek starting, base camp staff will contact the guide to confirm safety," it said.
The SOP states that minors must carry a consent letter from their parents or guardians, and senior citizens must provide a fitness certificate confirming their physical capability to undertake trekking. To be able to respond to unexpected health issues, trekkers and guides must carry a first aid kit.
However, flash photography, single-use plastics, and carry bags are prohibited and trekkers must bring back their waste and dispose of it only at base camps, as per SOP.
It further said that all trekking routes under the forest department will be integrated into the official website (https://aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in/) to enable advance booking of tickets.
