Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 8: Beltangady BJP MLA Harish Poonja has filed a petition in the High Court seeking the quashing of the FIR registered against him at the Uppinangady police station under allegations of spreading communal hatred. The petition also seeks the annulment of the ongoing legal proceedings in the special court for public representatives.
Through his lawyer, Prasanna Deshpande, Poonja has urged the High Court to consider the petition filed under a writ plea for a hearing. The petition was presented before a single-judge bench headed by Justice V. Shreeshanand, who was on vacation, and the bench orally mentioned that the matter, being related to public representatives, falls outside its jurisdiction. The case is now slated for hearing on May 8, as directed by the Registrar following the Chief Justice’s order.
What’s the case about? The controversy arose on May 3 when Harish Poonja participated in the Brahmakalashotsava at the Sri Gopalakrishna Temple in Tekkaru, where, speaking in Tulu, he allegedly made remarks spreading communal hatred between the Hindu and Muslim communities. A video of this speech circulated on social media, leading to a complaint being filed by S.B. Ibrahim from Tekkaru, who accused Poonja of inciting communal discord. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered against Poonja under Sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and 353(2) (disseminating false news) of the Indian Penal Code.
Poonja, who has been actively involved in regional politics, has now sought to clear his name by challenging the charges in court, claiming that the legal proceedings should be dismissed.