Dharmasthala case: Tension in Brahmavar over arrest of activist

Udupi: Tension prevailed in Brahmavar town of Udupi district on Thursday after the police arrested Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, president of the Rashtriya Hindu Jagaran Vedike, who has been vocal in demanding a high-level probe into the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala.

As the activist’s supporters staged a protest and roadblock against his arrest, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders around Brahmavar police station.

Police sources said the arrest was made based on a complaint filed by Udupi BJP rural mandali president Rajeev Kulal over Thimarodi’s alleged Facebook post against the saffron party’s national general secretary B L Santosh on August 16. Thimarodi is also accused of using derogatory language against a Hindu religious leader and attempting to incite communal hatred.

The Judicial Magistrate First Class court in Brahmavar has remanded him to 14-day judicial custody.

Earlier in the day, when Udupi police arrived at his residence in Ujire, Belthangady taluk, with an arrest warrant, Thimarodi initially refused to cooperate, pointing out that he had obtained anticipatory bail in connection with two earlier notices issued by the police.

But as the bail period had expired, he eventually agreed to accompany the police in a private vehicle. Police skirted highways and took him to Brahmavar police station through an interior route via Karkala.

Thimarodi was accompanied by activist Girish Mattannannavar and advocates. On reaching Brahmavar, he was subjected to a lengthy interrogation.

As the news of Thimarodi’s arrest spread, his followers gathered outside the police station and staged a roadblock. Subsequently, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders for 24 hours within 500-meter radius of the police station, effective from 1 pm on August 21. 

Udupi Police Superintendent Hariram Shankar told media persons that the sections of BNS invoked against Thimarodi were non-bailable. The activist had ignored two prior notices issued by the police. “He is a repeat offender and thus the circumstances had necessitated his arrest,” the SP said. 

At the JMFC court, Advocate Vijay Vasu Poojary, appearing on behalf of Thimarodi argued his client had not committed any grave offense to justify his detention and alleged that the arrest violated his client’s fundamental rights under Article 19.

Additional Public Prosecutor Mohini opposed the bail plea and told the court that Thimarodi was facing 24 cases and had been served with several notices in the past. Judge Nagesh N A rejected the bail petition and remanded him.