Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 23: Naveen, a close relative of Pulikeshinagar MLA, Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, who was arrested on the allegation of causing the KG Halli and DJ Halli riots through a provocative post on a social media website, has been granted bail by the state high court.

A single-judge bench of the high court presided over by Justice B A Patil set conditions like furnishing of a personal bond worth Rs 2 lac and two guarantors for the like amount. The high court also ordered that evidence in the case should not be tampered with. Naveen also has been asked not to leave the jurisdiction without the permission of the jurisdictional court. He has been asked to visit the local police station on the first of every month to mark his attendance. The high court also prescribed that if he is found to be engaging in similar activities, the lower court can cancel the bail.

Advocates for Naveen argued in the high court that the petitioner had not purposefully posted the provocative post but only downloaded a post made by someone else and shared the same. They said that Naveen did not want to disturb peace and harmony and immediately after he came to know that the post had created a lot of trouble, he deleted the same.

Advocate for Central Bureau of Investigation P Prasannakumar said that because of the post of Naveen, riots happened, two police stations and over 57 vehicles had been torched. He also said that public property was lost. Seven cases have been registered against the petitioner. He faces threat to life. If he is granted bail, his life will be in danger and peace might be disturbed again," he apprehended and asked the court not to grant bail to him.

The court after hearing arguments from both the sides granted bail on tough conditions.