Bengaluru: High drama unfolded outside the Bannerghatta police station on Friday night following the arrest of right-wing activist Puneeth Kerehalli on charges of trespassing and threatening a landlord on private property. The arrest triggered protests by his supporters, leading to heightened tension in the area and the deployment of additional police forces to maintain law and order.
The police arrested Puneeth Kerehalli (34) along with his associate Dr Nagendrappa (38) in connection with an incident reported from S Bingipura village on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Both the accused were later produced before a magistrate, a senior police officer confirmed.
Complaint by landlord led to arrest
The Bannerghatta police acted on a complaint filed by Siddesh, a resident of Doddathoguru, who owns a house in S Bingipura village. In his complaint, Siddesh alleged that Puneeth Kerehalli trespassed onto his private property on January 13 and verbally abused and threatened him.
According to the complaint, Kerehalli accused Siddesh of renting out his house to suspected Bangladeshi migrants. The activist allegedly confronted the landlord aggressively and questioned him about whether he was unaware of the background of his tenants. Siddesh stated that Kerehalli’s actions caused him fear and amounted to criminal intimidation.
Based on the complaint and preliminary inquiry, the police registered a case and arrested Kerehalli for trespassing and threatening the landlord.
Associate arrested for mobilising protest
Dr Nagendrappa, an associate of Puneeth Kerehalli, was also arrested in connection with the incident. Police said he was taken into custody for allegedly calling people from the locality and mobilising them to protest following Kerehalli’s arrest.
Officials stated that his actions had the potential to disturb public order, prompting the police to intervene. Both accused were questioned and subsequently produced before the jurisdictional magistrate.
Protest outside police station
Soon after news of the arrest spread, a group of Hindu activists and supporters of Puneeth Kerehalli gathered outside the Bannerghatta police station late on Friday night. The protesters raised slogans against the police, accusing them of targeting Kerehalli and acting under political pressure.
The situation became tense when the police attempted to take Kerehalli from the station to produce him before the court. Protesters allegedly tried to block the police vehicle and continued shouting slogans, leading to a brief standoff between the police and the demonstrators.
Preventive custody to control situation
To prevent the situation from escalating further, the police took several protesters into preventive custody. A large number of police personnel were deployed in and around the Bannerghatta police station to maintain law and order and to ensure that no untoward incident occurred.
Senior officers were present at the spot to supervise the situation and to engage with protesters, urging them to remain calm. Police officials said that preventive action was necessary to avoid clashes and to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles and the safety of the public.
Police clarify action based on law
Senior police officials maintained that the arrest was carried out strictly in accordance with the law and based on a written complaint. “The police have acted on the complaint received from the landlord. No one is above the law, and action was taken based on the allegations and evidence available,” a senior officer said.
The police also denied allegations of selective targeting, stating that the case was registered after due verification and that further investigation would be conducted impartially.
Political and social reactions
The arrest has sparked reactions from various quarters, with some right-wing groups alleging harassment of activists, while others have supported the police action, stressing the importance of due process and the rule of law.
Earlier, delegations had sought police action against Puneeth Kerehalli in other matters, citing concerns over his activities. The latest incident has once again brought him into the spotlight, drawing attention to tensions surrounding issues of illegal migration, vigilantism and public order.
Investigation to continue
Police officials said the investigation into the incident at S Bingipura village is ongoing. Statements of witnesses are being recorded, and further legal action will depend on the outcome of the probe.
The police have appealed to the public and activist groups to maintain peace and to allow the law to take its course. They have also warned that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disturb public order or obstruct police duties.
Conclusion
The arrest of Puneeth Kerehalli and the subsequent protest outside the Bannerghatta police station underscore the sensitive nature of issues related to alleged illegal migration and the fine line between activism and law enforcement. While the police insist that their action was purely complaint-driven and lawful, the episode highlights the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order amid charged social and political sentiments. As the investigation continues, all eyes will be on how the case unfolds in the coming days.