Puttur, May 19 (IANS): A police atrocity case on Hindu activists in connection with garlanding posters of Karnataka BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel with chappals has taken a political turn.

The police had detained nine Hindu activists and allegedly given third degree treatment. Most of them were admitted to the hospital.

The issue has stirred a controversy as both Congress and BJP are trading charges against each other. On the other hand, Bajrang Dal has demanded that IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder) should be lodged against the accused police officers. The Bajrang Dal had warned that if the demand was not fulfilled they would stage a big protest.

An FIR had already been lodged against Puttur Rural DySP and three other policemen. The police department had suspended a sub-inspector and a police constable in this connection. Karnataka ADGP (Law and Order) Alok Kumar assured stern action.

The BJP is alleging that Congress had planned the police atrocity on the Hindu activists. In turn Congress is maintaining that the police have acted due to the pressure from the BJP leaders.

Puttur Constituency Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Rai stated that he would make public the names of leaders who pressured the police to give third degree treatment to Hindu activists in two days.

Following the Assembly election results, BJP was pushed to third position in Puttur Assembly constituency. A banner with portraits of BJP Karnataka President Nalin Kumar Kateel and former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda was garlanded with chappals on May 13, the day the Assembly election results came. The banner put up near Puttur bus stop claimed condolences for both the leaders.

Puttur Municipality President Madhu Manohar and others had lodged a complaint with the police. The police had taken nine accused into custody and given them third degree treatment. It was alleged that third degree treatment was given in the presence of Puttur Rural DySP.

Arun Kumar Puttila, the rebel candidate who contested as an independent after being denied ticket by the BJP and secured second position, had got the accused released. Later, all the accused turned out to be Hindu activists who had worked for the BJP. There was public outrage against Kateel and Sadananda Gowda.

Nalin Kumar Kateel had also condemned the third degree treatment to Hindu activists.