Karnataka Police slap UAPA on accused in Bajrang Dal activist's killing

Bengaluru: Invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against the accused in the murder of 27-year-old Harsha Hindu, the Karnataka Police have said that a larger conspiracy is being suspected behind the killing.

At least ten people have been arrested in connection with the Harsha's, Bajrang Dal worker on February 20 in the Shivamogga region of the state. Reports said that Harsha had criminal records against him, involving many roughing up cases.

The charging the UAPA on the accused is seen as precursor to handing over the murder case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The slapping of the UAPA, normally invoked if there is found any elements of conspiracy against the national integrity, will make difficulty for getting bail for the accused. Under the UAPA, the police can keep the accused in custody for 30 days and the police get 180 days to file charge sheet instead of 90 days in ordinary cases.

Harsha is said to have been the victim of a local feud between him and the accused. Reports suggested that they had clashed several times since 2016.

One of the 10 people arrested for the crime, Mohammed Kashif, 30, was in prison with Harsha in 2017. Several others accused that allegedly assisted him have multiple cases of assault, burglary and robbery against them.

The police report also mentions the criminal background of the accused and the victim. The report also mentions the murder could have planned and executed by the goons.

Meanwhile, reports also suggest that there is pressure on police to charge stringent laws on the accused, as in the previous murder cases of the right-wing activists. The police now are investigating the larger conspiracy in the wake of Hijab ban controversy. Harsha was allegedly involved in organising support for the ban on hijab at some colleges in Shivamogga.