Corporator detained for violating ban order

The Chandra Layout police on Sunday detained Umesh Shetty, BJP corporator from Nagarabhavi ward, for violating prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Govindarajanagar area.

Fearing a clash between BJP and Congress workers, the police had imposed ban orders ahead of an event organised by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). However, the event was cancelled as ban orders were in place.

According to the police, Shetty and Govindarajanagar MLA Priya Krishna of the Congress had serious differences over inaugurating the Chandragiri park and Palike Soudha (BBMP office) at Govindarajanagar.

Shetty, who came to check the preparation for the launch, was detained by the police when he forcibly tried to enter the park by violating the ban orders. He was taken to CAR grounds near Madiwala and released after an hour.

The police also informed him that he should not violate the prohibitory order. Shetty claimed that he was not aware that the prohibitory orders were under force.

A senior police officer said: “We got information about the controversy between the BJP and the Congress workers over the inauguration of the park. Thus, to maintain law and order, we imposed Section 144 till Sunday evening. Around 200 policemen were deployed near the park and no untoward incident was reported.”

According to Shetty, the inauguration was postponed many a time as the local MLA had not given his consent to attend the event due to his prior engagements. He did not want the park and the building to be inaugurated as he felt that the local corporator would get all the credit for the work, added Shetty.

However, Priya Krishna said that he had not received any invitation from either the BBMP or the corporator. “Though BBMP funds were used for the park and the building, the function was planned as a private affair. When you invite the local MLA, certain protocol has to be followed, ” he added.