Shrikanth Poojary, Arrested In Babri Masjid Demolition Case, Gets Bail

Shrikanth Poojary, who is a ‘kar sevak’ according to the BJP, was arrested in connection with a 31-year-old case related to the riots that happened during the 1992 Ram Janmabhoomi protests. 

File photo of Shrikanth Poojary

Source : PTI

Shrikanth Poojary, who was arrested for alleged involvement in the riots after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, has been granted bail by a court in Hubballi. 

His advocate Sanjeev Badasaka was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, "We welcome the court order...The conditions (of the bail) are yet to be seen, the copy is not yet available. After taking the copy we will apply. He will be released by tomorrow evening." 

#WATCH | Advocate for Shrikanth Pujari, arrested for alleged involvement in the riots after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, Sanjeev Badasaka says, "We welcome the court order...The conditions (of the bail) are yet to be seen, the copy is not yet available. After taking the… https://t.co/0AwPNullxE pic.twitter.com/90HzEf0Atv

— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2024

Earlier, BJP launched a massive protest against the Congress party regarding the case, deeming it an anti-Hindu government, reported Hindustan Times. Following BJP’s protest, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara clarified that Poojary is not currently facing 16 cases, contrary to earlier claims.

He said, "Is it not true that Poojary was involved in criminal cases? For such a person, they [BJP] have staged such a large-scale protest.” Parameshwara said that the court had examined 26 cases, including Poojary's, and questioned why the BJP was rallying for him when he was involved in criminal activities. 

“Are no Hindus involved in those cases? Why is the BJP protesting for Poojary? The law is the same for me, LoP(Leader of the Opposition), as well as for the media. Whoever is guilty must be punished,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Karnataka's former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka challenged the Congress government, stating that if they could prove Poojary had 16 cases against him, he would publicly apologize [for the protest]. “Police’s argument that the kar sevak had not attended the court proceedings is false. The officers are misguiding the government,” news agency IANS quoted him as saying.

In response, a Congress delegation filed a complaint against LoP R Ashoka, BJP MLAs Arvind Bellad, Mahesh Tenginakayi, and 40 others. The complaint urged action against them for making derogatory statements during a protest against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Poojary, who is a ‘kar sevak’ according to the BJP, was arrested in connection with a 31-year-old case related to the riots that happened during the 1992 Ram Janmabhoomi protests. 

He was allegedly involved in a violent protest at Hubballi in north Karnataka in December of 1992. Three of the total cases were booked for triggering riots and causing hurt.