R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (RJP)
Karkala, Dec 18: A verbal war between a lawyer and a police officer outside the JMFC court here has reached the police station in the form of two complaints from both the parties.
Karkala rural police station sub-inspector Rafiq and lawyer Maniraj Shetty are the complainants. They have lodged complaints against each other at Karkala town police station.
Maniraj Shetty has complained that he was abused and threatened by SI Rafiq outside the court while he was talking to his client.
Maniraj Shetty, speaking to media persons in a press meet organized by Karkala Bar Association said, "I had accused, in a press meet recently organized by BJP, that inspector Rafiq collected money from lorries transporting red stones. Based on that, inspector Rafiq now wants to take revenge on me."
As per details of the case, the verbal arguments took place between Rafiq and Maniraj when the latter’s client Harish was being produced in court on Saturday, December 17.
Harish Poojary and his gang allegedly assaulted William D'Souza on August 1 outside Ashik Bar at Doopadakatte. The assault was believed to have been made in retaliation for the previous assault made on Harish Poojary in 2014. William was seriously injured and admitted in hospital for a long time. Harish surrendered in the court on December 14 and was remanded in judicial custody. Maniraj Shetty has said that Harish was taken to Karkala rural police station after that and was manhandled.
On December 16, a bail application was moved on behalf of Harish. The court had asked Harish to appear on December 17 when the arguments took place between Rafiq and Maniraj outside the court when Maniraj tried to talk to the accused.
Rafiq has complained to the police station alleging obstruction to duty by the lawyer.
Meanwhile, the president of Bar Association has said that the association has taken a resolution to condemn the incident of police officer threatening a lawyer and said that the incident is a black mark in the judicial system.