High Court rebukes MLA Harish Poonja for protest outside police station
asks him to refrain from acting like court
Bengaluru: Belthangadi MLA Harish Poonja faced severe criticism from the State High Court for staging a protest outside a police station, demanding the release of an individual arrested for illegal mining and stockpiling explosives.
A bench led by Justice Krishna Dixit, presiding over the petitions filed by MLA Harish Poonja contesting two FIRs against the police, expressed deep disapproval of the MLA's actions. The court questioned the appropriateness of an elected representative engaging in such protests, observing that individuals detained by the police have legal remedy through the local magistrate's court or habeas corpus petitions.
Justice Dixit further observed the importance of legislators focusing on lawmaking rather than interfering with police duties, urging MLA Poonja to refrain from acting like a court. The bench emphasized the need to protect law enforcement agencies and warned against any disruptions to their functioning.
The court also observed that while conflicts with the police may arise, it is crucial to uphold the rule of law and ensure due process for those arrested. Following arguments, the bench issued a notice to the government and instructed MLA Poonja to refrain from causing further disturbances until further notice, adjourning the hearing.
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Retired IAF personnel arrested for alleged Pak links in Assam
Tezpur (PTI): A retired Indian Air Force personnel has been arrested in Assam's Sonitpur district for alleged links with Pakistani intelligence operatives, police said on Saturday.
Additional Superintendent of Police Haricharan Bhumij said preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had shared sensitive documents and information with Pakistani operatives over social media.
Police have seized his laptop and mobile phone.
The devices have been sent for forensic examination, though some data has been deleted, Bhumij said.
The accused was a junior warrant officer in the IAF and had retired in 2002 from Tezpur’s Salonibari base.
He had later joined the electronics department of Tezpur University, but quit.
Bhumij said a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the BNS and a local court has remanded the accused to five days police custody.
