BENGALURU: Karnataka‘s Congress govt has decided to withdraw a criminal case registered under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against a mob that had attacked policemen with stones on April 16, 2022 in Hubballi.
This was one of the 43 cases the state cabinet decided to withdraw at its meeting Thursday following a petition by Anjuman-e-Islam to home minister G Parameshwara.
Reacting to the decision, BJP accused Congress govt of indulging in “politics of appeasement” and asked how it would protect democracy, if it could not even protect police personnel of the state.
Union minister Pralhad Joshi pointed out that cases filed under UAPA are serious, typically related to terror activities. “For over two years, HC and SC denied the bail… they changed the lawyer… some Congress ministers and MLAs wrote to CM demanding the case’s withdrawal. Despite opposition from the police and law departments, the government withdrew it, indirectly supporting Islamic fundamentalist activities,” Joshi said.
He called the decision the “height of appeasement,” criticising the govt for withdrawing a UAPA case even while it is before NIA court. “As far as I know, the state cannot withdraw such cases, but they still did it,” he added.
Talking to reporters, CM Siddaramaiah said: “The government has the power to withdraw some cases. A cabinet subcommittee made the decision, and the cabinet approved it. I will review it.”
Regarding BJP’s plans to protest in Hubballi, the CM remarked: “BJP always protests on false issues.”
Police reported that the mob, consisting of nearly 150 people from the minority community, had gathered near the Old Hubballi police station, upset over a derogatory social media post. The mob demanded that police hand over the accused. When cops refused, the crowd attacked them, injuring many officers and damaging several govt and private vehicles.