Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 20: The BJP and the Congress are engaged in mud-slinging match over the attack on the residence of MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy and other places. The scene is fast changing as new things and information are emerging.

In a surprising move, Akhanda Srinivas has alleged that Congress leaders had backed the attack on his house. He has accused former city mayor Sampath Raj, corporator Zakir, and Irshad Begum of planning this attack.

Akhanda had visited the central crime branch (CCB) office on Wednesday to record his statement on the riots. It is said that he made the above statement in the presence of deputy commissioner of police, Ravikumar. Srinivas reportedly said that Sampath Raj was an aspirant for the Congress ticket from Pulakeshinagar constituency during the 2018 assembly election, but the Congress had denied him a ticket and fielded him.

Akhanda Srinivas Murthy (left) and Sampath Raj

"He was waiting for a chance to take revenge since then. Now, encashing the opportunity provided by the Facebook post of Naveen, my relative, he hit back. This incident may have been supported by three corporations. Being in our own party, I never expected them to behave this way," Akhanda Srinivas said. The CCB is likely to question Sampath Raj on Thursday on the basis of these points. Sampath Raj has been summoned to appear in the CCB office for questioning on Thursday.

Police complete arrest process of Arun Raj

At a time when DJ Halli was witnessing violent disturbances, it is learnt, Arun Raj kept himself in regular contact with the people engaged in the disturbances on phone. Therefore, the police had taken Arun Raj into custody on Wednesday August 19. They also had seized his laptop, mobile phone, tab and other things.

Arun Raj

It is learnt that the police completed the arrest process of Arun Raj on Thursday. He was arrested as the police got strong evidence about his direct participation in the disturbances. Arun is likely to be produced in the court on Thursday.

Naveen, a relative of Akhanda Srinivas Murthy, had uploaded an obscene post about Prophet Mohammad Paigambar in Facebook reportedly in retaliation to a tweet in which Hindu gods were mocked at. This post had enraged the Muslim community. Thereafter, a crowd had attacked the residences of accused Naveen, and his relative and MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy late night on Tuesday August 11.

During the attack, residence and house of Srinivas were torched and his house had been reduced into ashes. The rioters also had turned their ire against a large number of vehicles which were set afire. Large scale destruction of public property was reported. After sensing that the situation might go out of control, additional Karnataka State Reserve Police contingent was stationed to protect the MLA’s house. In the firing by the police to quell the disturbances, four had died. Now the situation is under control and over 200 have been arrested. Over 12 cases have been registered.