JOIN USImtiaz Shah Thumbe, a reporter of Vartha Bharathi Kannada daily, has been arrested by the police, on the charge of circulating an edited video footage meant to portray police personnel in a wrong way and allegedly trying to create a misunderstanding between two communities.
In connection with the murder of RSS activist Sharat Kumar, Bantwal police had conducted a search operation at the residence of Khalandar, the main accused in the murder case, on September 2. Imtiaz had allegedly circulated a video clipping of the police carrying out a search operation and had made it appear as if the police were showing disrespect to a holy scripture.
Cases have been registered under IPC 153(A) (Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 505(2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes), against Imtiaz and also the Varatha Bharathi chief.
SP C H Sudhir Kumar Reddy said that the role of Imtiaz in circulating the video footage has been confirmed. He has confessed of recording the video and he has been arrested on Thursday night, Reddy added.
Imtiaz was produced before Bantwal court on Friday evening. His advocate sought an interim bail. But, the court rejected the bail application and sent the suspect to judicial custody. Soon, another application was submitted by the lawyer before the court for bail, which will come for hearing on Monday.