Two arrested for threatening Karnataka HC judges over hijab verdict

The special bench comprising Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justices Krishna S. Dixit and Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin, while dismissing the petitions demanding hijab in classrooms, underlined that wearing of hijab is not an essential part of Islam.

Bengaluru (Karnataka):The Karnataka police on Saturday arrested two people for allegedly issuing death threats to the Special Bench judges of the Karnataka High Court, who dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear hijab inside the classrooms. Kovai Rahamathulla was arrested from Tirunelveli and S Jamal Mohammad Usmani was arrested from Thanjavur. The accused are office bearers of the Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamaat (TNTJ).

The arrests were made after multiple complaints against the accused in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Several other persons have also been booked in this connection. The special bench comprising Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justices Krishna S Dixit and Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin while dismissing the petitions demanding hijab in classrooms, underlined that wearing of hijab is not an essential part of Islam. Several organisations in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are protesting against the verdict.

READ:Graffiti against HC verdict on Hijab, triggers tension in Karnataka's Udupi

In Karnataka, Vidhana Soudha police Bengaluru has booked an FIR based on the complaint by advocate Sudha Katwa. In the complaint, it is mentioned that there is a death threat, criminal intimidation, use of abusive language and also a breach of peace, as well as communal harmony in the state. The police registered the FIR under IPC Sections 506 (1), 505 (1) (B), 153 A, 109 and 504.

Meanwhile, advocate Umapathy has filed a representation with the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court in this connection. The Advocate's Association Bengaluru has also condemned the development. The police has beefed up security for the Karnataka High Court judges.

In Tamil Nadu, a video of the accused Kovai Rahamathulla went viral where he allegedly instigates violence against the Karnataka judges. In his speech, the accused mentions a district judge in Jharkhand being mowed down last year while the latter was out on a morning walk. He even stated that people know where the Chief Justice of Karnataka goes to walk in the morning. Tamil Nadu BJP chief and former Karnataka cadre IPS officer K Annamalai, has written to the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Justice MN Bhandari and demanded an inquiry.

READ:Hijab verdict: Will move SC, say petitioners; students boycott exams

IANS inputs