Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Nov 20: Underworld element Ravi Poojary who is wanted in several criminal cases will be brought to India very soon and the process to do so is already under way, said home minister Dr G Parameshwar on Thursday, November 19.

The minister made the statement in the Legislative Council while replying to a question raised by MLC Ivan D’Souza from Mangaluru.

"There are 61 cases registered against Ravi Poojary in different police stations of the state. Five cases related to threatening of prominent people and pressurizing them, have also been lodged against him, including threat calls to minister Abhayachandra Jain and MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty," he said.

The minister also said that Bannanje Raja, another underworld element who was brought to India recently, faces 60 criminal cases across Karnataka, and out of them 39 cases are being probed.

Also, underworld element Kali Yogish has 8 criminal cases against him, Parameshwar said.

To another question by MLC Ivan, Parameshwar replied that the police are keeping a keen watch on those who attempt to spark communal violence and proper measures are being taken to ensure that peace in society is not disrupted by such elements. Peace meets are also being convened regularly to promote and uphold harmony, and this apart, there is also round-the-clock monitoring by PCR vehicles, he said. Also, the police are regularly gathering information about communal outfits and keeping an eye on their activities.

To a question on provocative speeches by some leaders, Parameshwar said altogether, 28 cases have been filed in the state so far in connection to inflammatory speeches.