Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 4: A criminal suit has been filed against ex-minister and Congress leader Kagodu Timmappa for the provocative statements he is alleged to have made at a public meeting in Sagar, Shimoga district, in a local court.

On Friday April 3, ex-MLC K Balakrishna Bhat filed a complaint in the first Chief Judicial Magistrate court here, seeking action against Kagodu for his provocative statements. The court accepted the complaint for hearing. The case was posted to Saturday April 4, for placing arguments on the steps that can be initiated against the accused.

Giving details of the case, advocate for the complainant P P Hegde said, Kagodu by inciting people to 'chop off the hands of the Hindutva protagonists', has given a statement which is communally provocative, instigating people to indulge in violent activities and against the national integration. “Hence, we have requested for action against Timmappa under columns 115, 153, 153A, 153B and 505 of the Indian Penal code, which attract punishment. The court that heard the arguments, has registered the suit,” he explained.

Hegde had argued, that the provocative speech which was transmitted to the people of the region through visual and print media, also has whipped up the emotions of the people here. "The court has been requested to direct the policemen to arrest the accused," Hegde stated. As proof, a CD of the speech and copy of a newspaper that carried the news have been provided to the court, the advocate added.

Complainant Balakrishna Bhat said he has filed the complaint on behalf of the Hindu community, as the statement of the accused has the potential of sowing the seeds of hatred among different communities.