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Police have filed a new case against Hindutva activist Puneeth Kerehalli for allegedly making false and inflammatory claims about Karnataka’s top police official, adding to a growing list of legal troubles for the controversial figure.
The Bengaluru cybercrime police registered the case on Friday after Kerehalli allegedly accused Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) M A Saleem of owning an illegal “benami” property and harboring Bangladeshi immigrants. This case comes just days after Kerehalli was arrested and released on bail in separate incidents earlier this month.
According to police officials, Kerehalli has been charged under Section 66C (identity theft) of the Information Technology Act along with multiple sections of the recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The BNS charges include Section 196 (promoting enmity between groups), Section 353(1)(b) (making statements leading to public mischief), and Section 197(1)(c) (making imputations prejudicial to national integration).
The police’s social media monitoring team triggered the investigation after discovering a video showing Kerehalli and several associates forcibly entering a property in Soladevanahalli. The premises reportedly belong to a woman identified as Sakeena Taslim. In the video, Kerehalli allegedly claimed without evidence that the property was secretly owned by DG&IGP Saleem and housed illegal Bangladeshi nationals.
“The video was livestreamed on Facebook and other platforms, creating a serious risk of communal tension,” said a senior police official who requested anonymity. “Such baseless accusations against a high-ranking police officer represent a clear attempt to undermine public trust in law enforcement institutions.”
The FIR details how Kerehalli’s statements were designed to spread misinformation and provoke communal suspicion, potentially disturbing public harmony and threatening national integration. Authorities initiated the case suo motu, meaning they acted independently without waiting for a formal complaint.
This incident fits into a pattern of controversial behavior by Kerehalli, who has gained notoriety for his self-appointed role as an immigration vigilante. He has repeatedly uploaded videos showing himself leading nighttime raids on migrant settlements across Bengaluru, accompanied by groups of men who demand identification documents from residents.
In a video uploaded on January 14, Kerehalli was recorded questioning residents about their nationality while his associates accused Muslim workers of being “Bangladeshis.” The group also allegedly threatened officials from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office during these encounters.
The case highlights growing concerns about vigilantism and xenophobia in Karnataka, where tensions regarding migrant populations have occasionally flared. Immigration enforcement remains the exclusive domain of federal authorities in India, not private citizens or state police.
Legal experts note that Kerehalli’s actions raise serious questions about civil liberties and due process. “Vigilante actions targeting specific communities create an atmosphere of fear and discrimination,” said Sanjay Hegde, a senior Supreme Court advocate. “The rule of law requires that immigration enforcement remain with authorized agencies following proper procedures.”
Kerehalli also faces murder charges in a separate case from April 2023, though details of that investigation were not included in the current filing. His pattern of being arrested and quickly obtaining bail has frustrated authorities attempting to curb what they describe as dangerous vigilante activities.
Police officials have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with forensic analysis of the video content underway. Authorities are also examining whether Kerehalli’s actions violate other provisions of Indian law regarding trespassing, harassment, or criminal intimidation.
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5 Comments
The allegations of ‘benami’ property ownership and harboring of immigrants raise serious concerns that warrant a thorough and impartial investigation. It’s important that the truth comes to light, regardless of the political affiliations involved.
Misuse of laws to target political opponents is a troubling trend that erodes public trust. Hopefully, the legal process will focus on the evidence and facts rather than partisan agendas.
This case seems to be part of a broader pattern of clashes between Hindutva activists and law enforcement in India. It will be crucial to monitor how the courts handle these charges and whether they are able to establish clear wrongdoing.
This case seems to highlight the ongoing tensions and allegations swirling around controversial figures in India’s political landscape. It will be interesting to see how the legal process unfolds and whether the charges against the Hindutva activist are substantiated.
Accusations of false claims and inflammatory statements can quickly escalate political disputes. A balanced and fact-based approach is crucial to upholding the rule of law.