Hindutva Activist Puneeth Kerehalli Charged for Making False Allegations Against Police Director General Saleem

In a significant development, Hindutva activist Puneeth Kerehalli, already facing murder charges, has been booked by Bengaluru’s cybercrime police for allegedly spreading false information about a high-ranking police official. Kerehalli and his associates are accused of making unfounded allegations against Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) MA Saleem, claiming the officer provided shelter to illegal Bangladeshi migrants.

According to police documents, Kerehalli and his group alleged that Bangladeshi nationals had been trafficked and housed on property belonging to a woman named Sakina Tasleem. The group further claimed that this property was a ‘benami’ asset—illegally held in someone else’s name—of DG&IGP Saleem.

“The group went live on social media and falsely stated that Bangladeshi Muslims had taken shelter in Bengaluru. The claims made by the group are provocative in nature and could create social and communal unrest,” stated the First Information Report (FIR), as reported by The Hindu.

The incident came to authorities’ attention on January 23 when the Bengaluru City Police’s social media monitoring cell detected videos circulating on Facebook and other platforms. Following this discovery, a police officer filed a formal complaint at the City Cybercrime Police Station.

Investigators report that Kerehalli and his associates live-streamed their allegations and widely distributed the video across various social media channels, potentially reaching thousands of viewers. Such actions raised immediate concerns about community harmony in the diverse metropolitan city.

The accused have been charged under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses the promotion of enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence or language, and Section 353, which pertains to statements conducing to public mischief. Additional charges have been filed under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.

This latest case marks the third FIR registered against Kerehalli in just ten days, highlighting an escalating pattern of alleged vigilantism and harassment. On January 16, Bannerghatta police arrested Kerehalli for allegedly trespassing into a private residence and threatening the property owner for renting to migrant tenants, whom Kerehalli claimed were illegal immigrants.

The case underscores the growing concern about vigilantism in Karnataka, where self-appointed “guardians” have increasingly taken law enforcement into their own hands. Kerehalli, known as a “cow vigilante,” has been previously implicated in cases involving alleged violence against cattle transporters.

Law enforcement officials have expressed concern about the impact of such allegations and misinformation on Bengaluru’s social fabric. The city, known as India’s technology hub, hosts a diverse population from across the country and around the world.

The circulation of false information targeting specific communities could potentially incite violence or discrimination in a city already navigating complex social dynamics. Police have emphasized that claims about illegal immigrants must be reported through proper channels rather than broadcast on social media platforms.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining evidence including social media posts, video recordings, and witness statements. Police are also investigating whether the accusations against DG&IGP Saleem were part of a coordinated effort to undermine his authority or tarnish his reputation.

Legal experts note that the case highlights the evolving challenge of regulating harmful speech on social media platforms, where inflammatory content can quickly reach mass audiences before authorities can respond. The use of live-streaming to make serious allegations presents particular challenges for law enforcement agencies working to prevent communal tensions.

If convicted, Kerehalli and his associates could face significant penalties under India’s recently updated criminal code, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code.