Attempted attack on MLA Harish Poonja: Case transferred to CID

Mangaluru: State government has handed the case of attempted assault on Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The state police DGP’s office has ordered the immediate transfer of the complaint currently registered at the Bantwal Rural police station in the case to the CID. Further, the documents currently in the possession of the investigating officer, D.K. District Superintendent of Police should be handed over to the CID investigation office, the order said.

The purported attack took place on the night of October 13, when MLA Harish Poonja was traveling to Belthangady from Mangalore Airport on the night of October 13.

According to the complaint filed by the MLA’s car driver Naveen, when they reached Farangipete, a few miscreants waylaid Poonja’s official vehicle, brandished swords, and tried to attack the MLA. Luckily, Harish Poonja was traveling in his relative’s car while the MLA’s official vehicle was following them, the complaint said.

Dakshina Kannada District Superintendent of Police Rishikesh Bhagwan Sonawane, on October 14, said that one accused — identified as Riyaz (38), a resident of Falnir in Mangaluru — was detained and the Scorpio vehicle allegedly used for the crime has been seized.