Harsha murder case: UAPA likely against 10 accused; Govt mulling over handing the case to NIA

Bengaluru: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which is used in cases involving threats to national security and national integrity, may be applied against the accused in Bajrang Dal member Harsha’s murder case.

Karnataka government has reportedly decided to invoke UAPA against 10 accused in the murder case and handing over the case to National Investigation Agency (NIA), said a report, on Monday, by news agency IANS quoting police sources.

The police after considering the larger conspiracy behind the murder of Harsha have decided to invoke UAPA. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said it is a case of more than a murder and there is more than what meets the eyes.

The UAPA enables the police to secure the custody of the accused for 30 days and provides time to the investigating officer to file the charge sheet in 180 days instead of 90 days in normal cases. Harsha, a 28-year-old Bajrang Dal activist was hacked to death on February 20, triggering violence in the district of Shivamogga.

The Karnataka government has handed overcompensation of Rs 25 lakh to the family of Harsha. Police sources say Harsha was hacked to death with an agenda. The deceased was at the forefront of Hindutva-related activities and actively posted messages on social platforms against wearing of the hijab. Though the police maintained that there is no connection between the hijab row with the murder, later, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated that the angle is being probed by the agencies.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra clarified that there is no proposal before the government to ban the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and the Popular Front of India (PFI). BJP leaders and Hindutva activists have vehemently demanded that these two organizations should be banned.

(With inputs from IANS)