Three people arrested in Karnataka for alleged pro-Pakistan sloganeering in Vidhana Soudha granted bail

During the hearing, the defence counsel contended that the police had flouted procedural norms by initiating the case without prior authorisation and neglecting to serve notice to the accused under Section 41 of the Criminal Procedural Code (CrPC). Consequently, the video and audio samples of the alleged sloganeering were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for scrutiny.

Soon after the arguments, the judge granted bail considering that this is a prima facie case with no evidence.

Also Read: Karnataka Home Minister confirms pro-Pakistan slogans

Background on the incident

On 27 February, as the halls of Vidhana Soudha reverberated with echoes of fervour following the Rajya Sabha election results, the euphoria of victory morphed into a spectacle of controversy.

Supporters of Congress’s winning candidate Syed Naseer Hussain celebrated by sloganeering loudly, chanting “Nasir Sahib Zindabad”.

However, a video later surfaced, revealing a discordant note amidst the celebration — chants of “Pakistan Zindabad”. Based on the allegations, a suo-motu case was registered at the Vidhana Soudha Police Station against unknown persons raising “Pakistan Zindabad”, and the Opposition BJP launched an attack on the ruling Congress government for not arresting the accused.

Later, the video footage was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis, which reported that pro-Pakistan slogans were indeed raised, which resulted in the arrest of three individuals identified from the video by the police.

“The release orders were taken to the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison on Thursday evening, and the three will be released today (Friday),” a senior police officer told South First.

Also Read: BJP asks Kharge, Gandhis to apologise over pro-Pak slogans

(Edited by Kamna Revanoor)