Arrest of cow vigilante Puneeth Kerehalli: Karnataka HC issues notice to state govt, B'luru top cop
Bengaluru: Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to the state government with regard to the arrest of cow vigilante Puneeth Kerehalli by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police officers under the Goonda Act.
The division bench of the High Court, which heard the habeas corpus petition filed by Puneeth, asking for the orders issued by the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner to take him into custody as well as the orders issued by the government under the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act, 2000 (KCOCA) on August 17 to be quashed, issued the notice to all the respondents, including the government and the City Police Commissioner. The bench also instructed them to file objections, before adjourning the hearing.
A case has been registered against Puneeth under the Goonda Act, based on allegations against him of indulging in anti-social and criminal activities, disturbing harmony in society. He allegedly formed an unofficial organization named 'Rashtra Raksha Pade' and is an accused in the murder of cattle transporter Idrees Pasha.
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Gujarat tribal leader Mahesh Vasava quits BJP, cites betrayal of constitutional values
New Delhi: Prominent tribal leader and former MLA Mahesh Vasava resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 14, citing deep concerns that the country is no longer being governed in accordance with the Constitution. His resignation came on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, a symbolic move underscoring his disapproval of the current political climate.
Vasava, the son of veteran tribal politician Chhotu Vasava and former MLA from the Dediyapada constituency in Gujarat, had joined the BJP in March 2024 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. He submitted his resignation to Gujarat BJP president C.R. Paatil.
Speaking to the media, Vasava said, “On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar, I have to say that the country is not being run according to the Constitution. Adivasis, Dalits, OBCs, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and other poor classes will unite and fight the ideology of the RSS and the BJP.”
Vasava also expressed dissatisfaction with his treatment within the party following the election results. “After the results were announced, BJP leaders did not invite me to any meetings or public programs. They deliberately isolated me,” he said, adding that he would now dedicate his efforts to the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), founded by his father. “A political earthquake is coming, and Bharuch will be its epicenter,” he warned.
Reacting to the development, Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Vasava’s resignation on Ambedkar Jayanti was a clear indication of the BJP’s alleged anti-Adivasi stance and disregard for constitutional values. “This resignation has once again exposed the anti-Constitutional approach of the BJP,” Doshi stated.
Vasava’s departure adds to the political churn in Gujarat, especially among tribal and marginalized communities, and may signal a shift in tribal political alignment ahead of future state and national elections.
