Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady
Beltangady, Aug 7: A total of seven cases—four at Dharmasthala police station and three at Beltangady police station—have been registered in connection with the untoward incident that occurred on August 6, at Pangala Cross, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Dharmasthala police station.
Based on a complaint filed by Ajay, a resident of Bantwal and the owner of the YouTube channel 'Kudla Rampage', it is alleged that while he was recording a video byte with a person at Pangala Cross on the evening of August 6, a group of 15 to 50 miscreants assaulted him, cameraman Suhas, Sanchaari Studio’s Santosh, and United Media’s Abhishek. The group allegedly damaged his camera by throwing it on the road, stole the memory card, and issued life threats. The case has been registered under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 115(2), 324(5), 352, 307 read with 190 of the BNS-2023 at Dharmasthala police station.
Dharmasthala and Beltangady police stations (file photos)
On the same evening, a group of 25 to 50 individuals unlawfully assembled at Pangala Cross in two separate groups intending to commit illegal acts. Despite police instructions to disperse peacefully, they allegedly obstructed police duty and engaged in a mutual scuffle. A suo moto case was registered under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 132, 324(6), and 190 of the BNS-2023 at Dharmasthala police station.
Around 50 to 100 people allegedly assembled unlawfully in front of the Dharmasthala Police Station without prior permission. A case has been registered under Sections 189(2) and 190 of the BNS-2023 at Dharmasthala police station.
Based on a complaint filed by Pramod Kumar Shetty (42), a resident of Beltangady, it is alleged that after learning about the assault on YouTubers, he went to Pangala Cross where a group of around 30 to 40 people verbally abused and assaulted him. The group also allegedly damaged two vehicles and a camera. The case is filed under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 115(2), 110, 324(3), 352, 351(2), read with 190 BNS-2023 at Dharmasthala police station.
Based on a complaint from Harish R (34), a Bengaluru-based crime reporter for Asianet Suvarna News, it is alleged that while attempting to report on the victims of the Pangala Cross incident near Ujire Benaka Hospital, he was abused and assaulted by accused Girish Mattannanavar and Mahesh Shetty Timarodi. Another individual, Sameer from 'YouTubers', allegedly issued life threats. The case has been registered under Sections 189(2), 191(1)(2), 115(2), 351(2), 352, and 190 BNS-2023 at Beltangady police station.
Ganesh Shetty (28) from Beltangady filed a complaint stating that he had taken victims of the assault to Benaka Hospital in Ujire on August 6. When accused Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi and Girish Mattannanavar were asked for a video byte, they were allegedly stopped by a Suvarna News reporter and cameraman. Upon refusal, they were verbally abused and pushed. Later, Suvarna News anchor Ajith Hanumakkanavar reportedly broadcast false news claiming that Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi assaulted the reporter. A case has been registered under Sections 126(2), 296, 351, and 3(5) BNS-2023 at Beltangady police station.
On August 6 evening, based on reports of a crowd gathering near Benaka Hospital, Beltangady PSI and staff visited the location and found around 50 to 100 people illegally assembled and shouting slogans. Despite being advised to disperse, they allegedly obstructed police duties. A suo moto case has been registered under Section 189(2) read with 190 BNS-2023 at Beltangady police station.
Further legal action in all the cases is underway.