Death Threats To Judges Over Hijab Verdict, K'taka CM Orders 'Y' Category Security To All Three Judges

Two persons have been arrested in connection with issuing death threats to the Special Bench judges of the Karnataka High Court

New Delhi: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said that 'Y' Category security will be given to all the three judges, who had pronounced hijab verdict. Two judges have reportedly faced death threats after pronouncing the hijab verdict.

"We've decided to give 'Y' category security to all three judges who gave the Hijab verdict. I have instructed DG and IG to probe the complaint filed in Vidhanasoudha PS thoroughly in which some people gave life threats to the judges," Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Meanwhile, two persons have been arrested in connection with issuing death threats to the Special Bench judges of the Karnataka High Court who dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear hijab inside the classrooms, reports IANS.

While Kovai Rahamathulla was arrested from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, S Jamal Mohammad Usmani was taken into custody in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur. Both the arrests took place on Saturday night.

The accused are office bearers of the Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamaat (TNTJ).

The arrests were made after multiple complaints against the accused in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Police sources said that several persons have been booked in this connection.

Last week, the special bench comprising Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justices Krishna S Dixit and Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin, while dismissing the petitions demanding hijab in classrooms, underlined that wearing of hijab is not an essential part of Islam.

Several organisations in Tamil Nadu have been protesting against the judgment. A video of the accused Kovai Rahamathulla went viral where he allegedly instigates violence against the Karnataka judges.

In his speech, the accused mentions about a district judge in Jharkhand being mowed down last year while the latter was out on a morning walk. He even stated that people know where the Chief Justice of Karnataka goes to walk in the morning.

Tamil Nadu BJP Chief and former Karnataka cadre IPS officer K Annamalai, has written to the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Justice MN Bhandari and demanded an inquiry.

In Karnataka, Vidhana Soudha police in Bengaluru have booked an FIR based on the complaint by advocate Sudha Katwa. In the complaint, it is mentioned that there is a death threat, criminal intimidation, use of abusive language and also breach of peace, as well as communal harmony, in the state.

The police have registered the FIR under IPC Sections 506 (1), 505 (1) (B), 153 A, 109 and 504.

Meanwhile, advocate Umapathy has filed a representation with the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court in this connection. The Advocate's Association Bengaluru has also condemned the development. The police has beefed up security for the Karnataka High Court judges.

(With IANS inputs)