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The incident dates back to April 16, 2022, when riots broke out outside the Old Hubballi police station as a mob — irate over a derogatory social media post — turned violent and rioters vandalised police vehicles and public property, injuring four policemen
CNN-News18 has exclusively accessed government communication revealing the rapid timeline of events, all transpiring within a mere 2.5 months. (PTI)
In a swift move, the Karnataka government is pushing to withdraw the Old Hubballi police station riots case, potentially allowing the accused to walk free. CNN-News18 has exclusively accessed government communication revealing the rapid timeline of events, all transpiring within a mere 2.5 months.
The cabinet’s decision on October 10, 2024, to withdraw the case, among 43 others state-wide, was followed by an official government order on October 15. The law and prosecution departments were promptly informed on October 21 and instructed to proceed accordingly. By December 6, 2024, the Special Public Prosecutor received instructions to withdraw the Old Hubbali case. The SPP subsequently filed a case withdrawal application under Section 321 of the CrPC in the city civil and NIA court on December 24, citing the government order without elaborating on the reasons.
With the case scheduled for a court hearing on April 7, the accused could be set free without trial if the withdrawal application is accepted. Adding another layer of complexity, the Karnataka high court is currently hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the state’s authority to withdraw riot cases.
The incident dates back to April 16, 2022, when riots broke out outside the Old Hubballi police station as a mob — irate over a derogatory social media post — turned violent and vandalised police vehicles and public property. Stone-pelting resulted in injuries to four policemen. To control the escalating violence and disperse the mob, law enforcement officers were forced to resort to a lathi charge.
The opposition BJP has strongly criticised the withdrawal of the case, alleging that the Congress government is appeasing the Muslim community.
“If they are taking back rioting cases, what would be the case of law and order? What will police do if such cases happen in future, how will they investigate? From the time Congress has come into power. DCM and CM are trying to get people involved in riots free. They are trying to provoke the sentiments of people. We trust the judiciary that it will not permit to withdraw the cases; if so BJP party will stand opposing such attempts and protest,” said Mahesh Tenginkai, Karnataka BJP MLA,
The Congress, meanwhile, has defended the move, saying that the BJP had unnecessarily slapped UAPA charges in the case. “Charges that aren’t too serious should be withdrawn. Terrorism and UAPA charges cannot be applied for stone-pelting. But the BJP likes to target one community,” said Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad.
