BJP MLA gets relief from HC over controversial remarks against Karnataka CM

BJP MLA from Belthangady constituency of Dakshina Kannada, Harish Poonja, who had stirred a controversy by claiming that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah got 24 Hindu activists killed, got relief from the Karnataka High Court on Friday.

The High Court bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna stayed the police investigation into the case. Three complaints were registered against the BJP MLA in Puttur, Belthangady and Bantwal police stations.

Appearing for Poonja, senior counsel Prabhuling Navadagi submitted in the court that the case is not fit to be lodged against the BJP MLA under IPC Section 153A. “That is why there was a delay in filing FIR against BJP MLA Harish Poonja… no incidents of violence were reported following the statement…,” he argued.