Bengaluru: Police have arrested 60 more people in connection with the incident of violence that erupted in Bengaluru on Tuesday night, killing three people and leaving hundreds injured. Kaleem Pasha, husband of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) corporator from Nagwara ward - Irshad Begum, is one of the 60 people who has been arrested by the cops.
Speaking to reporters, Bengaluru Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Patil said, "Kaleem Pasha, the husband of BBMP corporator from Nagwara ward - Irshad Begum, is one of the 60 more people arrested in connection with the incident of violence in Bengaluru."
Cops have arrested 206 people including Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy's nephew Naveen so far in connection with the violence, Patil said.
Accused lodged in Bellary Central Prison
According to sources, Pasha had come to KG Halli and DJ Halli stations just before the riot flared up. It is also been alleged that Kaleem Pasha also fired shots and charged people with batons taking the opportunity of the chaos.
All the accused, who attacked the house of Congress MLA of Pulikeshi Assembly constituency have been currently lodged in Bellary Central Prison. They were brought in three Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC) buses amid high security. The accused also underwent a COVID-19 test before being put behind the bars.
Accused Naveen accepts his crime
In the latest development, Naveen, the nephew of Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy, has confessed to his crime of posting a derogatory 'Facebook post' following which violence rocked the eastern part of the city. According to the reports, Naveen has pleaded guilty to the police and is being interrogated by the Special Task Force (STF) and Bengaluru City Police(BCP). The cops have also tracked down Naveen Mobile's whereabouts as Naveen had complained earlier that his mobile phone was missing.
On the other hand, policemen have cordoned off the house of Srinivas Murthy and the building has been completely sealed. Security has been beefed up outside his residence and no one is granted permission to enter his house.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka govt is mulling to ban the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in the wake of the violence that rocked the state's capital, triggering panic among the people. Four teams have been constituted to investigate the August 11 riots in which at least 60 policemen were injured. Forensic teams have conducted an investigation at the DJ Halli police station and KG Halli police station premises in Bengaluru.
The violence broke out in parts of Bengaluru on Tuesday, over a "derogatory" social media post by Congress MLA Srinivas Murthy's nephew, Naveen, who was later arrested.
READ: Bengaluru violence: Sec 144 extended in DJ Halli, KG Halli areas till Aug 15
Murthy's house was also vandalised by miscreants following the social media post by his nephew Naveen. Residence of Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy was also attacked during the violence.
On Wednesday, Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that a district magistrate will hold an inquiry into Tuesday's violence in Bengaluru and said so far 146 people have been arrested.
According to the FIR, five people spearheaded a group of 200 to 300 people with arms and weapons and attacked the cops. Earlier, cops arrested SDPI leader Muzamil Pasha for his alleged role in mob violence.
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was extended in areas under DJ Halli and KG Halli police station limits till 6 am on August 15. Section 144 prohibits the gathering of four or more people at a place.
With agency inputs
