A banner showing former CM DV Sadananda Gowda and Dakshina Kannada MP and state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel in poor light was put up in front of the KSRTC bus stand in Puttur on May 15, 2023. Puttur Municipality had removed the banner.
Vikram Amet, Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada district, on May 18 suspended Sub-Inspector Srinath Reddy and Constable Harshith of Puttur Rural Police Station in connection with alleged atrocities against the accused persons. display a banner Humiliating Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and former Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda. Shri Gowda is a Member of Parliament and former Union Minister.
The SP recommended initiating appropriate disciplinary action against the Deputy Superintendent of Police of Puttur sub-division.
The action was taken on the basis of a complaint by Avinash, a resident of Narimogru, one of the nine accused in the banner case, who was allegedly caught and assaulted by the police.
According to Dr. Amet, preliminary investigation by Additional Superintendent of Police has confirmed police atrocities against the accused.
Based on the complaint, the Puttur Town police registered a case under sections 323, 325 and 506 (read with 341) of the Indian Penal Code – for assault with a weapon capable of causing death, criminal intimidation and wrongful restraint is against the accused police personnel, including Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sub-Inspector and Constable of Puttur sub-division.
Dr. Amet has ordered the Deputy Superintendent of Bantwal subdivision to further investigate the matter.
The Puttur Town police had arrested two people on May 15 and seven on May 16 in connection with the banner case. On May 17, photographs and videos of some of the accused persons with multiple injuries went viral on social media, prompting the SP to order an inquiry by Additional SP.
no serious crime
Section 3 of the Karnataka Open Spaces (Prevention of Defacement) Act, 1981, provides for simple imprisonment for a maximum term of 6 months, or a fine of ₹1,000, or both, for posting banners in public places without written permission from the jurisdictional local body .
Banner-bearers in Puttur paid tribute to BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda for BJP’s crushing defeat in the assembly elections.
Many argue that the display of the banner was not warranted by the police to secure the accused, but allegedly political pressure from BJP leaders.
The accused persons are believed to be supporters of Arun Kumar Puthila, who contested as an independent after being denied a ticket by the BJP in Puttur. Mr Puthila got the second highest number of votes, while Congress candidate Ashok Kumar Rai won the election. The BJP candidate stood third.
Mr Puthila’s supporters suspect Mr Kateel and Mr Gowda of denying them the ticket They could have fielded a weak BJP candidate So that the victory of the Congress candidate can be ensured.