Eshwarappa, 1 official booked in Shivamogga

The first information report (FIR) was registered after a special court for people’s representatives passed an order to hold a probe against Eshwarappa over alleged provocative statements made by him following the murder of Bajrang Dal worker Harsha Jingade

Karnataka rural development and panchayati raj minister KS Eshwarappa and Shivamogga city corporation member Channbasappa of BJP have been booked on charges of hurting religious feelings and disturbing public peace in Shivamogga, said a police official on Friday.

HT had earlier reported that KS Eshwarappa and other BJP leaders disregarded repeated warnings by the Shivamogga district administration against carrying out a funeral procession for Harsha on February 21 (File)

The first information report (FIR) was registered after a special court for people’s representatives passed an order to hold a probe against Eshwarappa over alleged provocative statements made by him following the murder of Bajrang Dal worker Harsha Jingade. The court had asked police personnel of Doddapete station in Shivamogga district to hold the probe and file a report in the matter.

Eshwarappa is yet to respond to HT’s calls and messages for a response on the police investigation.

HT had earlier reported that Eshwarappa and other BJP leaders disregarded repeated warnings by the Shivamogga district administration against carrying out a funeral procession for Harsha on February 21. The district administration had imposed prohibitory orders anticipating communal unrest after the Bajrang Dal activist’s murder.

The complaint stated that the minister and the Shivamogga corporator “propagated publicly that the murder of Harsha took place due to political and religious causes”. Complainant Riyaz Ahamed of Shivamogga Peace Organisation, said that he had approached police to lodge the complaint, however, no action was taken, following which he filed a private complaint in the court.

Acknowledging the complainant’s plea, the court had said: “The complainant has lodged a complaint before the jurisdictional police station and higher authorities also, but no action was taken.”