Karnataka Govt Withdraws 2022 Hubballi Police Station Rioting Cases Against 138 Persons

AIMIM corporator Mohammad Arif, along with 138 others, had been charged with serious offenses, including attempted murder and rioting in 2022.

The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has withdrawn rioting cases against 138 individuals, including AIMIM corporator Mohammad Arif. The decision, made during the state cabinet meeting on Thursday, pertains to the violent unrest at the Old Hubballi Police Station in April 2022.

The incident, which occurred on April 16, 2022, stemmed from the circulation of a derogatory image on social media, depicting a saffron flag atop a mosque, as per a report on India Today. The image triggered outrage, leading a large crowd from the Muslim community to gather outside the Old Hubballi Police Station. The protest quickly turned violent, resulting in property damage, vehicle destruction, and injuries to four police officers.

Mohammad Arif, along with 138 others, had been charged with serious offenses, including attempted murder and rioting, reported Republic. Despite opposition from the law enforcement, prosecution departments, and legal experts, the Congress government has decided to drop the charges. The withdrawal follows petitions made in 2023 by the Anjuman-e-Islam, a community organization, which urged the government to reconsider the case after the Congress came to power.

The decision has sparked criticism, especially from opposition leaders. BJP leader Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan accused the Congress of appeasement and vote-bank politics. He said, as per ANI, "The Congress always stands for appeasement and votebank politics, time and again they have been exposed...they have been very unreasonable...why can't they give similar consideration to all sections of the society...how can they withdraw Hubbali riot case?... It is really questionable..."

The 2022 violence in Hubballi had led to significant damage to public property and a serious law and order situation. In the riots involving thousands of people, four policemen reportedly suffered injuries. Seven juvenile offenders involved in the case were let out on bail.