Action sought against right-wing activist over alleged harassment of migrant workers in Bengaluru

The group has relied on a video uploaded on Kerehalli’s official YouTube channel on January 14, 2026, which purportedly shows him leading a late-night vigilante action, raising slogans and branding residents as “illegal migrants”. According to the complainants, the video shows him recording individuals without consent, violating their right to privacy, and demanding disclosure of citizenship details.

The complaint further states that Kerehalli was accompanied by a group of men who aggressively questioned residents and allegedly collected Aadhaar cards without any legal authority. It also alleges that he attempted to conduct an inquiry at the site in the presence of police officers, instead of directing the matter to a police station.

The group said the video’s title and content were overtly communal, portraying Muslims as illegal migrants and framing the issue as a conflict between “Hindus and Muslims”. Some associates accompanying Kerehalli are allegedly heard making inflammatory remarks.

YouTube subscribers

Pointing to Kerehalli’s online reach, the complainants noted that he has over 10,000 subscribers on YouTube and that the video crossed 2,000 views within a day, significantly amplifying the potential spread of fear and communal hatred.

The complaint stresses that matters relating to undocumented migration fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of authorised agencies such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, FRRO and state authorities, and that private individuals have no legal authority to enter homes, detain residents or demand documents.

Expressing concern over police presence during some of these incidents, the group has sought a departmental inquiry, alleging possible dereliction of duty and failure to implement preventive measures laid down by the Supreme Court in the Tehseen Poonawalla judgment on mob violence.

Noting that Kerehalli is out on bail in a murder case, the complainants argued that his alleged involvement in fresh criminal acts constitutes a clear abuse of bail conditions and warrants immediate cancellation.

The group has called on the police to immediately register FIRs under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, initiate proceedings to cancel Kerehalli’s bail, and issue clear statewide directions prohibiting vigilante actions. It has also sought a public assurance from the Karnataka Police that private individuals will not be allowed to question or police people on the basis of nationality or citizenship. Emphasising the need for strict enforcement of the rule of law, the group said migrant and working-class communities are entitled to safety, dignity and equal protection, warning that failure to act could lead to further intimidation and communal targeting.

Reacting to questions from the media over objections raised about right-wing groups allegedly verifying documents and harassing migrant labourers in the presence of police personnel, Commissioner of Police Seemant Kumar Singh said at a recent press conference that a probe is underway and an inquiry has been initiated into the allegations.