Published Aug 27, 2026 | 2:21 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 27, 2026 | 2:21 PM
Synopsis: Six people were arrested after violence disrupted a Milad-un-Nabi procession in Bengaluru’s Basavanagudi on August 26. Police registered three cases, including a counter-case, following an alleged assault and confrontation between groups. The accused include Hindutva activist Puneeth Kerehalli and three members of the Muslim community.
Six people have been arrested after a group led by Hindutva activist Puneeth Kerehalli disrupted a Milad-un-Nabi procession, leading to a clash in Bengaluru’s Basavanagudi.
The incident happened on August 26 during the Milad-un-Nabi procession at KR Road near Basavanagudi.
According to police, the procession, which began from the Kumaraswamy Layout, entered Basavanagudi in the evening of August 26 and was passing near the Garadi Apartment on KR Road when it was disrupted.
The procession was being escorted by police personnel when Puneeth Kerehalli and his associates approached the group with saffron flags and started raising “Jai Shri Ram” slogans. The Hindutva activists objected to Muslims raising slogans during the procession. According to police, personnel present at the spot intervened to defuse the tensions.
However, police alleged that some youths from the procession attacked Kerehalli’s associate Murali, resulting in injuries and leading to a clash. He was taken to the Victoria Hospital for treatment.
The police have registered three cases in connection with the incident.
The first case was registered at the Basavanagudi police station against Kerehalli and his associates Gopi Gowda and Vinod Nayak on the complaint of Abdul Razzak Khan. Several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked in the FIR, including those relating to promoting enmity, voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly, and criminal intimidation.
A counter case was registered on the complaint of Kerehalli against three people: Akkal Pasha, Abubakar Siddique and Syed Anas.
All accused have been arrested and produced before the court, police said.
The police have also registered a second case against Kerehalli and others for allegedly blocking the road during the incident.
Further investigation is underway, and the police are examining CCTV footage and witness statements in connection with the incident.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
