A special court for public representatives in Bengaluru has issued summonses to BJP MLA Harish Poonja and 64 other party members on Friday. These summonses are in connection with accusations of obstructing police officers from performing their duties during protests against the arrest of Shashiraj Shetty, the BJP Belthangady Taluk Yuva Morcha taluk president. Poonja and others will have to appear before the court on July 10.
The Beltangady police have registered two separate cases. Summons have been issued for 28 individuals in the first case and 37 in the second case. Those involved are required to appear before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on July 10 for a formal inquiry.
Charges against Poonja
The first case accuses MLA Poonja and other BJP workers of attempting to pressure the police to release Shashiraj Shetty, who was detained on charges of illegal quarrying. The second case is linked to a protest held on May 20 outside an administrative building, opposing the FIR filed against Shetty. Following the filing of chargesheets by the Belthangady police, the court decided to issue summons on Thursday, marking the start of judicial proceedings scheduled for July 10.
Siddaramaiah on BJP MLA Harish Poonja's arrest row
Earlier in May, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the law is the same for everyone and wondered whether the allegations against BJP's Harish Poonja who is facing charges for allegedly intimidating police be denied just because he is an MLA. The Chief Minister said an FIR has been registered under section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the case of alleged police intimidation by Poonja. Reacting to the opposition's allegation that the Congress is compelling the arrest of the BJP MLA, Siddaramaiah said that the law is the same for everyone.
(With inputs from PTI)
