2 arrested over death threats to Karnataka judges following hijab verdict

Bengaluru: Police on Saturday night arrested two people for allegedly issuing death threats to the Special Bench judges of the Karnataka High Court.

Kovai Rahamathulla was arrested from Tirunelveli, and S. Jamal Mohammad Usmani from Thanjaur after they were accused of threatening to kill judges who dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear hijab inside the classrooms, according to IANS

The accused are office bearers of the Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamaat (TNTJ).

Police sources reportedly said there were multiple complaints against the duo in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, adding that several persons have also been booked in the case.

Following the verdict on hijab as not an essential practice of Islam by the special bench comprising Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justices Krishna S. Dixit and Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin, many outfits protested in Tamil Nadu.

Meawhile, a video of Kovai Rahamathulla went viral which saw him allegedly instigating violence against the Karnataka judges.

The accused reportedly mentioned about a district judge in Jharkhand being mowed down last year while out on a morning walk.

He was accused of stating that people knew where the Chief Justice of Karnataka go to walk in the morning. The police have beefed up security for the Karnataka High Court judges

The police have registered the FIR under IPC Sections 506 (1), 505 (1) (B), 153 A, 109 and 504. The Advocate's Association Bengaluru has also condemned the development.