Mangaluru: In a significant development, police have filed a charge sheet in court against Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja in connection with a case involving a communal and inflammatory speech.
The case stems from a speech allegedly delivered by Poonja during the Brahmakalashotsava celebrations at the Thekkaru Gopalakrishna Temple, which authorities say contained provocative communal remarks.
Following the FIR, the MLA had approached the High Court seeking to dismiss the case against him. However, the court refrained from granting any immediate relief, instead issuing notices to both the complainant and the state government to file their responses.
Now, with the submission of the charge sheet, the matter has taken a fresh turn and dealt another blow to MLA Harish Poonja.
Arguments and counterarguments in the case are set to take place today (May 20). Senior High Court advocate Balan will represent the complainant, S.B. Ibrahim, during the hearing.
The case is being closely followed as it touches on sensitive communal dynamics and has sparked public interest, particularly in Dakshina Kannada district.
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