Shivamogga, Apr 20: Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Wednesday indicated that the State government is contemplating strong action against those involved in rioting similar to the situation in Delhi where bulldozers razed down structures allegedly belonging to rioters.

He said he would discuss with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in this regard.

"There is thinking about it, Chief Minister too has said there is thinking on those lines. We will have to take strong action against those involved in riots," Jnanendra said in response to a question on use of bulldozers in violence-hit areas of Delhi against people who allegedly indulged in rioting.

Speaking to reporters here, he said suitable action would be taken against those who feel that law and rules are not applicable to them.

Bulldozers were used in Delhi to demolish structures in areas of Jahangirpuri, a drive against encroachments which, some allege, was against those into rioting.

Jahangirpuri witnessed violent clashes, arson and firing between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on Saturday. Eight police personnel and a local resident sustained injuries in the clashes.

In response to a question whether the Karnataka government would take a decision in line with Uttar Pradesh, where the administration has ordered againt taking out religious processions without permission, the Home Minister said he would discuss this with Chief Minister Bommai.

"When fair or processions happen, some elements may throw stones from somewhere causing disturbance to peace and order. Uttar Pradesh has taken a decision. I will also speak on this to the Chief Minister," he added.

Amid violence during festivals in some States, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that no religious procession should be held without permission.

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New Delhi: A Delhi court has ordered the police to conduct an investigation against the Times Now Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar, on Tuesday. ARG Outlier Media, owned by journalist Arnab Goswami, had filed a defamation lawsuit against the host of prime time show The NewsHour telecast, reported the Bar&Bench.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Sidhant Sihag of the Patiala House Courts used Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), empowering a magistrate to conduct an investigation before summoning an accused who lives outside the court's jurisdiction.

“Arguments on the point of summoning heard. Accused is stated to be residing beyond the jurisdiction of this court. Given the facts and circumstances, I deem it appropriate that an investigation be carried out in the instant matter u/s 202 CrPC / 225 BNSS,” the order stated. The matter will be taken up next on February 26 with Advocate Ayush Jindal appearing for ARG Outlier Media.

The complaint concerned a Times Now broadcast that was aired on January 18, 2020. According to the lawsuit, while discussing the suspected Television Rating Points (TRP) scandal, Kumar reportedly made defamatory remarks about Goswami on the prime-time show, The Newshour.

The parent company of Republic TV, ARG Outlier, said that the program featured unproven accusations and misrepresented portions of the Mumbai Police charge sheet to harm the name of Republic TV and its editor-in-chief.

The TRP scam surfaced in October 2020. The Mumbai Police said that various channels, including Republic TV, Fakht Marathi and Box Cinema, manipulated ratings by bribing viewers to keep their televisions turned on. A magistrate court in Mumbai allowed the police to withdraw their prosecution in the case in March 2025.