Mangaluru: Responding to a statement by a VHP leader opposing the invocation of the Goonda Act against accused in the Abdul Rehman murder case, Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee president-elect Padmaraj R Poojary said the country is governed by the Constitution and the rule of law.
The police recently invoked the Goonda Act against six accused in the Kolatamajalu Abdul Rehman murder case, while KCOCA has also been applied against the accused in the case.
Pujari says police acting within legal framework
Padmaraj Poojary said the law would take its own course and that legal procedures apply to everyone.
He said whenever anyone engages in activities that are unconstitutional, the concerned police department takes appropriate legal action in accordance with the law.
He also stated that there was no interference from the Congress party in the functioning of the police department.
The remarks come amid continuing political and public debate over the handling of the Abdul Rehman murder case. Protests were held in Mangaluru after an accused in the case secured bail, with demonstrators questioning the government’s handling of the matter.
Six accused booked under Goonda Act
According to Dakshina Kannada police, six accused — Bharath Kumdelu, Shivaprasad, Pradeep, Abhinav Rai, Tejaksha and Ranjith — have been booked under the Goonda Act in connection with the case.
The Abdul Rehman murder case relates to the killing of Kolatamajalu resident Abdul Rehman in Bantwal taluk in May 2025. The police had earlier invoked the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act against the accused.
Padmaraj Poojary maintained that the police department should be allowed to carry out its duties according to the Constitution and applicable laws.