Conditional bail for BJP man who threatened CM

The JMFC second court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to district BJP general secretary S N Channabasappa who threatened to behead Chief Minister Siddaramaiah if he ate beef in Shivamogga.

The saffron party functionary made the remarks during a protest rally in the city on November 2.

Judge Jayaprakash warned Channabasappa not to make such provocative statements in the future. The court also directed him to co-operate with the police in the investigation and furnish a personal bond of Rs 25,000.

Advocate Raghavendra argued on the BJP functionary’s behalf. Public prosecutor Deepak objected to his bail.

Scores of BJP workers gathered outside the court complex to greet Channabasappa.

‘Case against CM’

Rajya Sabha member Ayanur Manjunath on Wednesday said the BJP would lodge a complaint against Siddaramaiah and Congress leader L R Shivarame Gowda on Thursday in Shivamogga.

Speaking to media persons, he said Siddaramaiah had hurt the sentiments of the majority community while trying to appease the minorities. A private complaint will be lodged against him, he said, adding that a separate complaint would be lodged against Gowda for threatening to behead Channabasappa, during a live interactive programme telecast by a private news channel.

“Gowda has been accused of involvement in a journalist’s murder case. So, there is a threat to the life of Channabasappa. If anything happens to him, Gowda will be held responsible,” Manjunath said.

However, he said the party disowned the statement of Channabasappa. “It is not our political culture. It is his personal view.”