Latest news with #ArunKumarPuthila
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Police may relocate BJP leader over hate speech
The police in Dakshina Kannada district have initiated legal proceedings to extern BJP leader and Puthila Parivara head Arun Kumar Puthila, citing concerns over law and order in the region. A formal notice has been issued directing him to appear before officials for a hearing on June 6, failing which an ex parte order may be passed. The externment proceedings are being pursued under Section 55 of the Karnataka Police Act, which allows for removal of individuals considered a threat to public order. According to an official, the authorities are considering relocating Puthila to Shahabad police station limits in Kalaburagi district. The notice, issued by the Puttur assistant commissioner, also stated that Puthila may appear in person or through legal representation. The decision has been taken based on his history of giving inflammatory speeches. According to the official, the decision follows recent incidents of communal violence and a review of multiple murder cases over the past decade, where several accused were reportedly found to be affiliated with radical organisations. 'We have identified and are closely monitoring the movements and activities of the leaders of such organisations. Directions have been issued to verify all such groups, and preventive measures will continue,' said Arun Kumar, superintendent of police. Kumar added that the police were acting within their mandate to maintain peace. 'It is the responsibility of the police to take preventive action, and legal steps will be taken against those who oppose these efforts. We will continue to implement such measures until law and order is fully restored.' In connection with ongoing preventive actions, the police also registered an FIR on June 2 against senior RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, who allegedly delivered a provocative speech on May 12 during a condolence meeting for slain Hindutva activist and rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty. The event took place at Madwa Palace Convention Hall in Kavalapadur village under Bantwal Rural Police Station limits. Police allege Bhat's remarks were inflammatory and could incite communal tension. A case has been booked under relevant sections of the BNS. The Dakshina Kannada district police, in coordination with the district administration, has identified 36 people for externment from the district limits following their repeated involvement in communal offences and activities that threaten public peace and order. The police crackdown has triggered protests from various groups, including demonstrations outside the Kadaba police station, where activists opposed background verifications being conducted on leaders of several organisations. In response to the developments, BJP state president BY Vijayendra issued a sharp rebuke of the Congress-led government, accusing it of using the police force to target Hindu leaders in a bid to appease the Muslim community for electoral purposes. 'In the coastal region, Hindu leaders and BJP are going out to intimidate Hindu activists to remind people of it again,' Vijayendra said, alleging that the state was showing leniency towards 'anti-social elements' while aggressively pursuing action against leaders of Hindu outfits. He also criticised the government's alleged role in the swift transfer of top police officers in Mangaluru following the murder of a Muslim truck driver. 'A conspiracy is underway to file false cases against the leaders of the Hindu community and throw them in jail,' he said. Terming the externment proceedings and FIRs as 'shameful moves to suppress freedom of expression,' Vijayendra demanded immediate withdrawal of the cases. 'The FIR registered against more than 15 leaders of Hindu organizations, including Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, should be immediately cancelled and the deportation order withdrawn, otherwise the government itself will have to be responsible for the further consequences,' he warned. In response, home minister G Parameshwara said: 'Whether Hindu or Muslim, action will be taken only if someone breaks the law. No one will be spared if they do something wrong.'
Deccan Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Dakshina Kannada cops book RSS leader, look to extern BJP leader
Authorities are also considering to extern BJP leader Arun Kumar Puthila to the jurisdiction of Shahabad police station in Kalaburagi district under Section 55 of the Karnataka Police Act and a similar measure against 36 anti-social elements from Belthangady taluk.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Arun Kumar Puthila summoned over externment notice inquiry
Mangaluru: firebrand Arun Kumar Puthila has been summoned to appear for an inquiry in connection with an externment notice issued against him. The notice, served by assistant commissioner and sub divisional magistrates's office, Puttur subdivision, directed his externment from Dakshina Kannada district to Shahabad police station limits in Kalaburagi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The inquiry is scheduled for June 6. The 54-year-old leader was called under provisions of the Karnataka Police Act, following a decision to extern him from the district. Puthila was given the option to appear either in person or through legal counsel. The notice clearly states that failure to appear will be interpreted as a lack of interest in contesting the externment. In such a case, the authorities will proceed with a one-sided decision based on the available information. Reacting to the development, Arun Kumar Puthila told TOI that ever since the Congress came to power in Karnataka, there was a concerted attempt to repeatedly target Hindus and appease minority communities. "This externment notice is yet another step in that direction. We are actively involved in our organisation's work, taking part in religious programmes, and are committed to activities aligned with the national ideology. This move is clearly aimed at demoralising our workers. I strongly condemn it," he said. Puthila asserted that such actions will not deter them from continuing their work on Hindutva and religious causes. "I am confident that the people of this region will respond appropriately to the Congress party's action at the right time. Our karyakartas will not buckle under pressure," he added. He further stated that he would consult senior leaders in the organisation before deciding on the next course of action. "We have been associated with the RSS for the past several years. We never engaged in any anti-social activity. Action should instead be taken against those who truly disturb the peace and not on our Karyakartas engaged in religious work," he said.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Following recent ‘communal' murders in coastal Karnataka, police issue notice to Hindutva leader A K Puthila over proposed exile
The Karnataka Police have issued a notice to Hindutva leader and Puthila Parivara founder Arun Kumar Puthila, directing him to appear before them for a hearing on June 6 regarding his proposed banishment from the Dakshina Kannada district. The Puttur sub-division assistant commissioner issued the notice under Section 58 of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, on May 28. According to the notice, Puthila must appear either personally or through legal representation to present his defence against the banishment proposal. The notice warns that failure to appear will be interpreted as 'disinterest' in contesting the proposal, resulting in a unilateral decision based on available information. Meanwhile, after images of the notice went viral on social media, Puthila's supporters alleged that the government was attempting to curtail Hindutva voices in the region. Puthila himself has not yet reacted to the notice. Arun Kumar Puthila contested as a rebel candidate after the BJP denied him the ticket from the Puttur seat in the 2023 Assembly elections. He lost the elections by 4,149 votes to Congress candidate Ashok Kumar Rai. The police notice came after the reshuffle of IPS officers in the coastal region, following two recent alleged communal murders in the area. Anupam Agrawal, Mangaluru city police commissioner, was transferred as deputy inspector general (DIG), Economic Offences Wing, Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Agrawal was replaced by Sudheer Kumar Reddy, who was DIG (Intelligence). Yatish N, Superintendent of Police (SP), Dakshina Kannada, was replaced by Arun K Hariram Shankar, who was SP (Intelligence). So far, 11 people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty. Shetty had five cases against him – four in Mangaluru city and one in Dakshina Kannada district. He was the prime accused in the murder of Mohammed Fazil, 23, in Surathkal on July 28, 2022. On May 27, Abdul Rahiman, 32, a resident of Kolthamajalu in Bantwal taluk, was murdered while he was unloading sand near a customer's house. His friend and co-worker Kalandar Shafi, 29, who was severely injured in the attack, is currently being treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital.
