Praveen Khandya booked under Goonda Act, sent to Kalaburgi prison

VHP and Bajrang Dal former leader Praveen Khandya, who was wanted in 33 criminal cases, has been finally booked under Goonda Act and sent to Kalaburgi prison on Sunday morning. Deputy Commissioner G Satyavathi had issued an order in this regard.

Based on the order, the police picked him up from his home at Khandya near Balehonnur and sent him to Kalaburgi prison, informed Superintendent of Police K Annamalai. “It is a warning to those who involve themselves in anti-social activities and disturb peace in society,” he said.

The prime accused in DySP Kallappa Handibagh and kidnapping of Tejas Gowda, Praveen managed to abscond for five months, despite the best efforts by the district police and the CID to nab him. However, he resurfaced in December after obtaining an anticipatory bail from the High Court.

He was also wanted in a case where he had obstructed the police from discharging their duties during Dattamala Abhiyan in 2011 and an arrest warrant was pending against him. He was arrested on December 31 in connection with the DySP Kallappa Handibag case when he was on way to meet his lawyers. The CID police had taken him into custody and had interrogated him till January 16.

Quite interestingly, the police had twice submitted report against him to book him under Goonda Act as he was involved in illegal and anti-social activities. However, two former deputy commissioners had reportedly rejected the reports. It was also said that he was carefree as he had strong political backup. However, the present deputy commissioner took a tough decision and implemented the Goonda Act against him, it is learnt.

As per the rule, the case will come up before the High Court within three months of implementing the Goonda Act order. If the court upholds the order, the accused (Praveen) will have to undergo a minimum of one year behind the bars, during which time, the accused cannot take any legal help, according to legal experts.