Home / Crime and Justice / HC Slams Whitefield Police for Midnight Custody
HC Slams Whitefield Police for Midnight Custody
29 Aug
Summary
- Court questioned police custody of a petitioner after a comedy show cancellation.
- Police reportedly took the petitioner into custody at 2:00 AM.
- High Court directed senior police officials to address alleged violations.
The Karnataka High Court has strongly criticized the Whitefield Police for their actions in taking a petitioner, Mohan Gowda, into custody. Justice M Nagaprasanna was hearing a petition challenging a case registered against Gowda under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Gowda, associated with the Hindi Rashtra samanvaya samithi, had opposed a proposed Kunal Kamra comedy show. After the show's cancellation, he posted on social media, calling it a 'victory for Hindu unity.' The Whitefield Police initiated a suo motu case, alleging his post caused societal disharmony.
Advocates argued that Gowda was picked up from Udupi at 2:00 AM and brought to Whitefield Police Station. The court noted the police's use of a notice under Section 35(3) of the BNSS, which seemed to facilitate his custody before his scheduled appearance. Justice Nagaprasanna highlighted this as a frequent violation by Whitefield Police.
Observing this as a pattern, the High Court directed senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of Police, to address these alleged legal violations.
