'Blue films, converting women to Christianity': 2 arrested for circulating false and insulting messages about Karnataka man on WhatsApp

Mangaluru: Two men were arrested from different locations of the state for allegedly spreading communal hatred and false information via WhatsApp.

Surathkal police arrested a 42-year-old man named Ramaprasad alias Pocha, a resident of KK Shetty Compound in Kulai, while another accused, Lokesh Kodikere, was held by the Padubidri police and sent to the Udupi District Jail.

City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH informed that Kodikere will be produced before the court through a body warrant.

Action against Ramaprasad was taken after a person named Rajesh Honnakatte from Kulai lodged a complaint at the Surathkal police station on July 13, stating that some miscreants were spreading hatred against him through WhatsApp messages.

Blue films, converting women...

Honnakatte told the cops that they circulated messages falsely claiming that he was caught selling blue films and had converted women.

The accused had also suggested that Honnakatte was making preparations to get a 24-year-old Hindu married to the complainant's brother, alongside alleging that she stopped following Hindu customs like applying vermilion or visiting temples, and instead began attending church prayers regularly.

Necessary legal action was taken against Ramaprasad for spreading false information and a case was registered under Sections 352 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and Section 353 (Statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Crime confessed; sent to judial custody

A police team led by Surathkal inspector Pramod Kumar and sub-inspector Raghunath Naik, along with HC Annappa Vandse, traced and arrested Ramprasad.

During interrogation, the accused is said to have confessed to the crime. He was produced before the II JMFC court in Mangaluru, following which he was remanded in judicial custody.