Seven cops booked for threatening right-wing worker in Mandya dist

The case was registered after the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal workers staged a protest onSaturdayalleging that police threatened the pro-Hindu worker in custody.

The Srirangapatna police in Mandya district on Sunday booked seven police personnel, including a circle inspector, for allegedly threatening a pro-Hindu worker and outraging his religious feelings.

The Srirangapatna police in Mandya district booked seven police personnel for allegedly threatening a pro-Hindu worker (HT PHOTO)

The case was registered after the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal workers staged a protest onSaturdayalleging that police threatened the pro-Hindu worker in custody.

On December 4, pro-Hindu workers held the Hanuma Sankeerthana yatra in Srirangapatna demanding that the Jamia masjid, which is located inside the fort in the town, be handed over to them. Hindu outfits claim that a Hanuman temple stood in place of the mosque originally and was partially razed by 18th Century ruler Tipu Sultan to construct the mosque.

During the procession, a youth allegedly removed a green religious flag from a house and installed a saffron flag, said deputy Superintendent of Police Sandesh Kumar.

After the incident, the police immediately removed the flag and based on a complaint by the owner of the house, registered a case against the youth. On Friday night, police picked him up from his residence and later sent him home on station bail, according to Kumar.

After he was released, the youth alleged that during enquiry at the police station, officers threatened to chop him into pieces.

On Saturday, hundreds of VHP and Bajrang Dal workers staged a protest near Jamia masjid demanding the suspension of the policemen who allegedly threatened the pro-Hindu worker.

Later, Mandya Superintendent of police (SP) N Yetish visited the spot and held discussions with the protesters but refused to book a case against policemen.

However, police later registered the case against the seven personnel as the protests mounted.

“A case has been registered against seven police personnel, including circle inspector Prakash. Now, the situation is peaceful, but we have deployed more policemen to prevent any kind of untoward incident,” Kumar said on Sunday.

According to Kumar, the seven were booked under IPC sections 323(causing hurt), 504 (intentionally insult and provocating), 448(trespass ), and 295A (intention of outraging the religious feelings).

“We will conduct an impartial probe into the incident and take appropriate action against the accused if found guilty,” Kumar added.