BJP assures legal support after Karnataka Police arrests ‘BhikuMhatre’ over Congress manifesto post

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya called the arrest a “blatant abuse of power” by the Karnataka Congress government.

Published on: May 19, 2024, 07:23:58 IST

By HT News Desk

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The Karnataka Police on Saturday reportedly arrested a man from Goa over his alleged now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) against the Congress manifesto. Media reports claimed that the man, whose social media handle is BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon), had alleged in his post that the Congress “wants to take away wealth from Hindus and distribute it to Muslims as it hates Hindus” - a claim that BJP leaders have also made.

The social media post against the Congress was reportedly posted last month.

According to a report by The Indian Express, BhikuMhatre's arrest came after a Bengaluru resident and Congress worker filed a complaint with the cybercrime police on April 29. The police then registered a case against the X user under section 153(a) of the Indian Penal Code and 66(c) of the Information Technology Act.

Shortly before his arrest, BhikuMhatre also posted a notice issued to him by X after it received a court against from the magistrate Bengaluru City regarding his X account ‘@MumbaichaDon’.

“This court order obligates X to produce information related to your account. We cannot give you any legal advice, but suggest that you may wish to seek your own legal counsel in this matter,” the notice read.

Also read: Law and order in Karnataka has collapsed under Congress govt: Ex-CM Jagadish Shettar

“So it seems CONgress wants to intimidate me for speaking Truth. I'm ready to fight against any injustice & will take full Judicial Course even if that means approaching Highest Court, as I have never written anything which may be called as inflammatory or communal,” he wrote on X.

Following this, BhikuMhatre's son, identified as Nagesh Naik, said: "My father @MumbaichaDon has been arrested by @DgpKarnataka @CPBlr @BlrCityPolice A mail was sent by TWITTER and suddenly in the evening the Police showed up at the doorstep and took away my father! FIR is totally NOT pertinent! #ReleaseBhikuMhatre.”

Meanwhile, the BJP leaders came out in support of the arrested man and hit out at the Karnataka government over the arrest.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya called the arrest a “blatant abuse of power” by the Karnataka Congress government. “We will fight this, both inside courts and outside,” he said.

Union minister Smriti Irani also informed that she spoke to Tesjasvi Surya regarding the case, and the BJP has assured legal support to the arrested social media user.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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