Published Jan 05, 2024 | 7:46 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 05, 2024 | 8:03 PM
Court - Representational Pic
The First Additional District Sessions Court in the Hubballi district of Karnataka on Friday, 5 January, granted bail to Srikanth Poojari, who was arrested by the Hubballi-Dharwad city police in connection with a 31-year-old rioting case for which he was declared a long-time absconder.
He was arrested by the police on 29 December, 2023, and sent to judicial custody after the police prepared a list of absconding accused on whom the Hubballi court had issued non-bailable warrants for not appearing for the hearings for years.
Poojari was only one among 36 others that the police in Hubballi-Dharwad Commissionerate alone went after as part of efforts to clear Long-Pending Cases (LPCs).
His case pertained to at least six people being killed in the Hubbali riots on 5 December, 1992, a day before the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh was demolished.
Soon after Poojari’s arrest, the BJP — in the Opposition in Karnataka — staged statewide protests, demanding his immediate release.
“What is the need to arrest a Hindu activist in a case that was filed 31 years ago?” the BJP leaders asked.
The BJP termed Poojari an “elderly kar sevak”, arrested ahead of the opening of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded on Wednesday that Poojari’s arrest before the upcoming consecration of the Ram Temple was coincidental.
He also released a list of all 36 arrested along with the alleged crimes on X. The names of Poojari and son Krishna figured on the list.
The 36 people were arrested in cases of theft, dowry, rioting, cheating, prostitution, narcotic offences, road rage, robbery, and assault, as well as under the POCSO Act.
According to court sources, it was a short hearing — about 20 minutes — where advocate Anwekar on behalf of Poojari argued in court that his client should be granted bail on his health grounds as he was 58 years old. He also pointed out that the case was from 31 years ago.
Anwekar also argued that his client was not on the run, something the police claimed. Poojari had also not committed murder or any other heinous crime for his bail to be denied.
The Hubballi town police filed objections to Poojari’s bail. The state’s counsel argued that the accused had 16 cases against him.
It was also argued that he had gained notoriety in the area, and had no respect for the court as he was not attending hearings whenever he was summoned.
However, judge Parameshwar Prasanna granted Srikanth Poojari bail on Friday and ordered his release.
