Bantwal: Bantwal city police have registered a case against an individual for allegedly posting abusive comments and issuing threats on Facebook following a car accident involving former minister B Ramanath Rai.
Based on a complaint filed by Bantwal Urban Development Authority (BUDA) chairman Baby Kunder, the police have named Prabhakar Hegde as the accused. The complaint concerns alleged abusive remarks and threats posted in the comments section of a Facebook video showing the accident involving the former minister.
Car accident near Sanur on September 20
According to the complaint, the car in which Ramanath Rai was travelling met with an accident near the Sanur Sri Rama Mandir divider cross on Karkala National Highway 169 on September 20.
Rai, along with his personal assistant, bodyguard and driver, sustained injuries in the accident. All four are currently receiving inpatient treatment at Yenepoya Hospital in Mangaluru, according to the complaint.
The accident subsequently drew attention on social media after a video of the incident was posted on Facebook by an unidentified user. The video reportedly showed the accident involving the vehicle in which the former minister was travelling.
Following the circulation of the video, comments were allegedly posted by Prabhakar Hegde, prompting the complaint to the Bantwal city police.
Complaint alleges abusive comments and threats
The complainant, Baby Kunder, alleged that Prabhakar Hegde used foul language to abuse Ramanath Rai and issued threats in the comments section of the Facebook post.
The complaint was submitted to the Bantwal city police, who subsequently registered a case against the named accused. The allegations concern the language used and the threats allegedly made through the social media platform.
The police have registered Crime No. 130/2026 under Sections 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The registration of the case marks the beginning of the police investigation into the allegations. The circumstances surrounding the comments, the identity of the person who posted them and the content of the alleged threats will be examined as part of the investigation.
The allegations in the complaint remain subject to investigation, and the registration of a criminal case does not by itself establish the guilt of the accused.
Memorandum submitted to Bantwal DySP
Following the alleged social media comments, party leaders and supporters submitted a memorandum regarding the issue to the Bantwal Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP).
Those present during the submission included Baby Kunder, Chandra Prakash Shetty, Balakrishna Anchan, Abbas Ali, Sudeep Kumar Shetty and Sampath Kumar Shetty.
The memorandum reportedly raised concerns over the alleged abusive language and threats directed at the former minister in connection with the Facebook post.
The police have initiated an investigation under the provisions cited in the complaint. Further details regarding the investigation and any subsequent action will depend on the findings of the authorities.
The case brings attention to the legal consequences of allegedly abusive or threatening remarks made through social media platforms. The Bantwal city police are expected to examine the complaint and relevant evidence in accordance with the law.