Mysuru: City Police Commissioner Ramesh Banoth, who held an emergency press meet at his office on Thursday to speak about the prohibitory orders in the city during the 'Mahisha Dasara' celebrations told reporters that the city police would take action against BJP MP Pratap Simha for his controversial statement against 'Mahisha Dasara' as advised by legal experts.

"The Mysuru Police team is keeping a watch on the MP's statements and activities. We have consulted legal experts about the matter and expect a response from the experts latest by tomorrow. Any legal action against Pratap Simha will be taken after we receive the written response of the experts," said Banoth.

In response to a question on the recent Karnataka Congress spokesperson M Laxman's demand for the city police to voluntarily book a case and arrest Pratap Simha for his statements, Banoth stated that the Mysuru police will take any action in the matter after a reply from the legal experts. "We are focusing on maintaining peace as well as law and order in the city and will take any necessary action to do so," he stressed.

MP Pratap Simha had recently declared that the BJP would fight desperately against holding 'Mahisha Dasara' celebrations in Mysuru. "We have built this party and even the nation putting forth struggles at necessary levels. Similarly, we will fight against the worship of an evil character like Mahisha. If necessary, we will also destroy all citizens who attend the event to celebrate 'Mahisha Dasara' here," he had said in a press meet held at the BJP Mysuru unit office.

 

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Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting, illegally confining and attempting to extort money from a 39-year-old businessman who was lured through a honeytrap set up on social media, police said on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Rachana, Malati, Darshan and Ravi.

Police said efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects involved in the incident, which occurred on December 12 in Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu.

According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Maddur taluk in Mandya district, was befriended by a woman identified as Rachana through Facebook, who later sought financial assistance and received Rs 5,000 from him via PhonePe on November 28.

When he asked her to return the money, the woman allegedly asked him to travel to Mysuru or Kushalnagar, promising to meet him.

The police said the woman later called the victim to Madikeri on December 12 and took him to a house near the market area, where they spent some time and consumed alcohol in the evening.

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Later that night, citing an emergency, the woman left the house. After her departure, three men allegedly broke into the house and attacked the victim, assaulting him with a stick and the handle of a sword, causing injuries to his face, mouth, chest and leg, the FIR stated.

The complainant alleged that he was forcibly confined, stripped and a nude video of him was recorded. The accused also allegedly threatened him with a toy gun, demanding Rs 50 lakh and warning that the video would be uploaded on social media if the money was not paid.

Police said the victim was held captive and somehow managed to escape in the early hours of December 13. However, after he escaped, the accused allegedly attempted to kidnap him in an autorickshaw, an incident that was captured on CCTV cameras.

Based on his complaint at the Madikeri Town police station, a case was registered under Sections 310(2) (dacoity), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said.

“Four accused, including two women, have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab two more absconding accused. Further investigation is on,” he added.