Doddapete police in Shivamogga have registered a case against RDPR Minister K.S. Eshwarappa and Shivamogga City Corporation member Channbasappa of BJP on charges of hurting religious feelings and disturbing public peace.
The police registered the first information report on Wednesday after a direction from a court in Bengaluru. Complainant Riyaz Ahmed had filed a complaint with the Shivamogga police on February 22. However, it was not registered by the police. Later, he appealed to the court to direct the police to register the case.
In his complaint, Riyaz Ahmed said both Mr. Eshwarappa and Mr. Channabasappa, elected representatives, made provocative speeches soon after the murder of Hindutva activist Harsha in Shivamogga on February 20. Their statements triggered violence in Shivamogga on February 21.
Following the murder of Harsha, Shivamogga witnessed incidents of violence during the procession of his body on February 21. A few houses, many vehicles and shops were damaged. The police had clamped prohibitory orders in the city for nearly a week to restore peace.
