Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (EP/ANK)
Beltangady, May 21: A case has been filed against Beltangady MLA Harish Poonja for allegedly threatening police officers with violence during a protest on May 20. The protest was held without prior permission in front of Vikas Soudha, opposing the arrest of rowdy-sheeter Shashiraj Shetty. Poonja has been charged under crime No. 58/2024, section 143, 147, 341, 504, and 149 IPC for his actions during the protest.
It may be recalled, MLA Harish Poonja had expressed outrage over the arrest of Shetty on May 18. He had verbally attacked the police, comparing his actions to the violent incidents at Bengaluru’s DJ Halli and KJ Halli police stations. Poonja had reportedly hurled expletives at the Belthangady police inspector and other personnel, insulted them, and threatened to kill them. He had also threatened to 'hold the collar of the police' if they dared to touch any of his party members and stated he was ready to go to jail for his actions.
Poonja's protest disrupted public access to the taluk office, and he continued to express his anger, stating, "Firstly, we will start our protest by renaming the Beltangady Tahsildar office as the Beltangady Congress office. Our slogans should be loud. Today, I remember Vasanth Bangera, who once abused cops and the tahsildar without any FIR lodged against him, yet today an FIR was lodged against me."
He accused the Congress of fearing a BJP resurgence after June 4 and engaging in hate politics. Poonja demanded a fair probe into the case within a week and called for the suspension of the officers involved in Shetty's arrest. He questioned the police and the tahsildar on the arrest, claiming they had no answers and suggesting the FIR against him was politically motivated.
The Beltangady police have registered a case under crime No. 56/2024, section 9B(1)(b) of the Explosive Act 1884 and the Explosive Substances Act 1998 against Shashiraj Shetty, who was arrested for illegal activities. Poonja’s protest and subsequent statements have added to the controversy surrounding the arrest and the actions of the local authorities.