NHRC orders probe into BJP MLA's allegation of police harassing Hindu group workers in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Tuesday ordered its director general (Investigation) to probe allegations of police harassment against workers of Hindu organisations in the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka in the wake of the twin murders in May, with a report required within two weeks.
BJP MLA Dr Bharath Shetty Y from Mangaluru City North filed the complaint, alleging unconstitutional surveillance and harassment of law-abiding citizens and social workers from Hindu organisations. The complaint alleged systematic late-night police visits after 11 pm targeting people with no criminal background or pending cases.
The police increased surveillance in the communally sensitive Dakshina Kannada district after the murder of Bajrang Dal leader Sushas Shetty in Mangaluru on May 1 and that of Abdul Rahiman, a resident of Kolthamajalu in Bantwal taluk, on May 27.
During these visits, the police allegedly photographed subjects, recorded GPS coordinates, and conducted interrogations without presenting legal warrants or notices. The MLA's complaint said the district's superintendent of police publicly defended these actions in a video statement, claiming the surveillance was necessary to monitor communal organisations.The complaint further alleged that the SP threatened action against anyone who questioned his conduct, prompting the NHRC to intervene.
N HRC Deputy Registrar (Law) Mukesh has instructed the DG (investigation) to deploy an officer for an on-site inquiry. The investigation will involve recording statements from alleged victims, examining police records, and interviewing those affected by the alleged harassment.
Last month, the Dakshina Kannada police issued proposed banishment notices from the district for more than 40 people, which included both Hindus and Muslims. They were identified as habitual offenders or those involved in repeated anti-social activities.
Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment; and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, then wrote a letter to Justice N K Sudhindra Rao, the chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, stating the Congress government was targeting people associated with Hindu organisations.
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