Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A day after his release from detention, cow vigilante Punith Kerehalli, 35, Monday targeted the Congress-led Karnataka government.
“There was no reason to book me and the police did it only to send me to prison as I questioned the state government. The government should provide sufficient documents as it has levelled several allegations against me… I will launch a protest against the government. I have evidence that the state government is targeting Hindu activists…” he said during a press conference in Bengaluru Monday.
The Karnataka government recently quashed a Goonda Act case registered against Kerehalli, who is also accused of killing cattle trader Idrees Pasha. Kerehalli was arrested last month under the Karnataka Goonda Act and sent to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru.
Kerehalli had approached the Karnataka High Court, claiming his arrest was unlawful. The Court then asked the government to respond to Kerehalli’s petition. Following this, a government-appointed advisory committee conducted an inquiry and concluded that there were insufficient grounds to justify his detention.
On September 16, the Under Secretary of the Home Administration Department (Law and Order) issued an order to Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Bandarangayya NR, directing the immediate release of Kerehalli from custody. Following this directive, Kerehalli was released Sunday.
This is the first instance wherein a Goonda Act case has been nullified.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
