Case filed against Mahesh Shetty Thimmarody for 'provocative' post

Udupi: Udupi Police have booked cases against two persons including activist Mahesh Shetty Thimmarody for inciting hate speech and spreading provocative social media posts.

Udupi SP Hariram Shankar said that case against Thimmarody was booked for hate speech against BJP leader B L Santhosh.

On August 16, BJP rural president of Udupi, Rajeev Kulal, lodged a complaint against activist Mahesh Thimmarody. According to the complaint, Thimmarody allegedly used abusive language on his Facebook page against BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh and insulted him in derogatory terms.

The complaint also accused him of using offensive remarks against a Hindu leader, thereby creating animosity between different religions and communities.

Based on the complaint, Brahmavar Police registered a case under sections 196(1), 352, and 353(2) of the BNS.

In a separate complaint on a social media post that was inflammatory in nature, Kota police have registered a case against a man.

On August 9, Belthangady Police registered a case against Vasantha Giliyar of Kota. Giliyar had allegedly posted a map of Dharmasthala on Facebook marking temples and mosques, accompanied by a provocative message inciting disharmony among religions, castes, and communities.

The post was also alleged to provoke attacks on religious institutions. The case was booked under sections 196(1)(a) and 353(2) of the BNS.

Furthermore, in the jurisdiction of Kota Police Station, the same Facebook post was re-shared by Sharath Shetty of Vaddarse. A zero FIR was registered under sections 196(1)(a) and 353(2) of the BNS.