Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 25: Bengaluru Police have opened a rowdy sheet against 14 youths for performing dangerous bike stunts, brandishing swords and machetes, and creating panic under the pretext of celebrating the holy festival of Shab-e-Barat.
The D.J. Halli police filed the rowdy sheet against the accused following a series of events on February 21. The youths were arrested after a video showing their reckless actions went viral on social media, sparking concern over their blatant disregard for the law.
Police sources confirmed that the rowdy sheet was initiated after detailed information was gathered on the accused individuals. Authorities also reached out to the parents of those involved, securing an undertaking from them in connection with the incident.
The individuals named in the rowdy sheet include Nayeem Pasha, Arafat, Sahil, Adnan, Asif, Sameer, Jubair, Rihan, Hussain, Junaid, Ayaan, Aftab, and two others. The incident took place on the night of Shab-e-Barat, which was celebrated on February 13.
Despite elaborate security arrangements being put in place along key routes from Tannery Road Junction to Nagawara Junction, the accused managed to travel beyond the D.J. Halli and K.G. Halli areas. They were later seen on the Outer Ring Road, Ramamurthy Nagar, K.R. Puram, and Avalahalli, performing stunts on their bikes while wielding swords and machetes. Several of them recorded videos of their actions, with one individual uploading the footage to Instagram.
In response, the police registered a case under the Arms Act at the D.J. Halli police station. Initially, 11 individuals were arrested, and seven bikes were seized. However, some of the accused had gone into hiding but were later apprehended.
DCP D. Devaraja expressed his dismay over the incident, stating that Shab-e-Barat is a sacred occasion during which people visit burial grounds to pray for their deceased elders. He condemned the actions of the youths, emphasising that such behaviour, which terrorises the public under the guise of celebration, was unacceptable. "Strict action will be taken to deter youngsters from engaging in such behaviour," he added.
State Home Minister G. Parameshwara also weighed in on the incident, saying, "This is against the law, and the police will take appropriate action. The individuals involved will be arrested and booked under relevant sections. Such individuals will certainly be prosecuted. We will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. We are always vigilant and take necessary action against such incidents."
The incident has also sparked political debate, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a scathing attack on the Congress government. The BJP has criticised the state's repeated failure to instil a sense of fear regarding the law and its enforcement. They questioned the government's ability to address such incidents and maintain law and order in the city.
As the authorities continue to investigate the matter, it is clear that they are determined to take a firm stance against the growing trend of unlawful behaviour, particularly during public celebrations.