Police personnel outside the house of MLA Harish Poonja at Gardadi in Belthangady on Wednesday.
Credit: DH Photo
Mangaluru: Tension prevailed and a high drama followed at the residence of Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja at Gardadi in Belthangady on Wednesday, after police personnel visited the house in connection with a case booked against him.
Dakshina Kannada (DK) SP Ryshyanth C B said that MLA Harish Poonja was summoned for an inquiry. "But till evening, MLA had declined to attend the inquiry. But now they have agreed to come and the police will conduct an inquiry," SP informed on Wednesday evening. Harish's advocates had been arguing that no notice was served.
"But police had served a notice in the morning and we have a received copy for the notice issued as well. In connection with the first case, he was served a notice, and in connection with the second case, he was called for an inquiry, for which they have not cooperated until evening. We want to give him due respect that a MLA deserves," SP said.
Earlier in the day, a team of police led by DySP Vijayprasad, Belthangady Inspector Subbapoormatt, and PSI Chandrashekar visited the house of MLA. As news of police visiting MLA's house spread, a large number of party workers including DK MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, Rajesh Naik, Umanath Kotian, leaders Brijesh Chowta, DK BJP President Sateesh Kumpala arrived at the house.
Party workers had even entered into heated exchange of words with police personnel. They shouted slogans of “Bharath Mata ki jai,” and also against the Congress -led government. A large number of police personnel were deployed near the house as a precautionary measure. Advocate K Shambhu Sharma said police were at MLA' house in connection with a case filed against him.
The police had requested the MLA to accompany them to the police station. “I have clearly informed them that notice should be served as per the Supreme Court guidelines,” he said.
The police had filed an FIR against the MLA for allegedly pressuring the station officer to release BJP Yuva Morcha Mandala President Shashiraj, who was arrested by the police in connection with the illegal quarrying and stocking of explosives at the quarrying site, at Moodala in the Melanthabettu village of Belthangady Taluk on May 18 night. The MLA was booked under IPC Sections 353 (deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 504 (intentional insults).
It may be recalled that Belthangady police on May 18 had arrested rowdy sheeter Shashiraj Shetty. Opposing the same, the MLA had staged a protest at the police station. Following which a case was registered against the MLA on May 19.
2nd case booked
Opposing the booking of case against the MLA, a protest was organised without seeking prior permission in front of the Vikasa Soudha in Belthangady. During the protest, the MLA had allegedly stated that he was willing to hold the collar of the police for the sake of the "karyakartas" and hinted at disturbances akin to those witnessed at the DJ Halli and KJ Halli police stations in Bengaluru. He also blocked public access to the taluk office during the protest. Accordingly, another FIR was filed against the MLA on Tuesday night. The FIR said that along with abusing the police inspector and police personnel, the MLA also had threatened them during the protest. A case in this connection has been registered under IPC Sections 143, 147, 341, 504, 506, and 149. The video clip of the MLAs' derogatory remarks against police officials has gone viral.
Harish Poonja reacts
Meanwhile, Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja on Wednesday said that hate politics will not be tolerated at any cost.
Poonja said the BJP workers have demonstrated their strength to the state in Belthangady. Congress-led government does not have any morality and he alleged that they have been harassing the police since the beginning.
"A false case was filed against Shashiraj Shetty. When I questioned it a case was filed against me as well. I did not abuse police to show the power. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had held the collar of a police officer in the past to show his power," he charged.
Poonja also added, "The Congress had staged a protest against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna's pen drive case. Don't we have the right to protest for our Karyakarta? A case was registered after Siddaramiah visited the district."
Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, “We will continue our fight for BJP MLA Harish Poonja in the court. We will give answer to the notices served to MLA at the police station.”
He added, “BJP and our leaders respect law of the land and constitution. We will legally fight against the notices. Congress is engaged in hate politics. The government has been engaged in booking cases against BJP MLAs. BJP will not be scared by such moves of the government.”