Moodbidri: Moodbidri police have registered a case against three people, including a Congress leader and two Sangh Parivar workers, for allegedly confronting and threatening college students at a local café.

Students allegedly confronted at café

According to the details reported by Daijiworld, two female and two male students from a private college in Moodbidri had gone to a café near the bus stand for breakfast. The students reportedly belonged to different communities.

The three accused allegedly entered the café and questioned the students about their names. They are also accused of verbally abusing and threatening the students during the confrontation.

The incident has been described as an alleged case of moral policing, in which the students were reportedly confronted over their presence together at the café.

The students, fearing further trouble, reportedly chose not to file a formal complaint with the police. However, information about the incident reached the Moodbidri police, following which a police officer visited the spot and took action.

Police register suo motu case

Moodbidri Police Sub-Inspector Prathiba reportedly rushed to the café after receiving information about the incident. Since the students did not submit a complaint, the police registered a suo motu case based on the PSI’s complaint.

The FIR has been registered under Sections 126(2), 352 and 351(2), read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to the report.

The sections cited in the FIR relate to allegations including wrongful restraint, intentional insult and criminal intimidation, along with the provision concerning acts carried out by multiple persons with a common intention.

The registration of the case means the allegations will now be subject to police investigation. The FIR itself does not establish the guilt of the accused.

Three people named as accused

The three people named in connection with the case are Rithil Poojary, Prem Bhandary and Sanjay Hegde, according to Daijiworld.

Rithil Poojary is described as a person handling social media for the Congress and as a close aide of KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai. Prem Bhandary and Sanjay Hegde have been identified as Sangh Parivar workers.

The involvement of people associated with different political and social groups has added a political dimension to the incident. However, the police case concerns the alleged conduct at the café and the investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

Police flag previous cases against two accused

Police sources cited in the report said that four earlier cases had already been registered against Prem Bhandary and Sanjay Hegde at the Moodbidri police station.

The two reportedly had rowdy sheets opened against them in the past. According to the police information cited by Daijiworld, the bond period associated with their rowdy sheets has since expired.

The previous cases and rowdy-sheet history are separate from the latest FIR and will form part of the background considered by police during the investigation.

Investigation to establish circumstances

The latest case has once again brought attention to incidents involving individuals confronting young people over their personal interactions and social choices.

While the students reportedly did not approach police directly, the suo motu action indicates that the police considered the reported incident serious enough to warrant an investigation.

The police will now have to establish what exactly happened inside the café, what was said or done during the confrontation and whether the provisions mentioned in the FIR are applicable based on the evidence collected.

Statements from the students and witnesses, along with other available evidence, are expected to help investigators establish the sequence of events.

The case also highlights the importance of allowing college students and other members of the public to go about their lawful activities without intimidation or threats. At the same time, the allegations against the three accused remain subject to investigation and any further legal proceedings.