Karnataka: ACP Shivaraj Katakabhavi appointed IO in Hubbali's BJP worker case

Hubbali: An assistant commissioner of police has been appointed as the investigation officer for the cases registered with Keshwapur Police Station related to a woman BJP worker who was seen in a disrobed condition in a video shot during her detention by the police in connection with an assault case.

Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar has appointed ACP (CEN) Shivaraj K Katakabhavi as the investigation officer for cases related to Sujata Handi. 

Meanwhile, Police Inspector K S Hatti, against whom BJP workers levelled allegations related to the incident of a BJP woman worker’s arrest, has been shifted from Keshwapur. Shashi Kumar instructed Hatti to report at the police commissioner’s office, while Ghantikeri Police Inspector B A Jadhav has been instructed to take the additional charge of Keshwapur Police Station.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognisance of a viral video showing a disrobed woman BJP worker in a police vehicle during her detention in Hubballi, and it has written to the DGP seeking an inquiry and other measures.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rajat Ullagaddimath on Friday released old video clippings, charging that Sujata is seen assaulting a man in the video. Recent developments including the release of the video showing the woman in a disrobed condition in a police vehicle are part of BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginakai's toolkit strategy, he alleged.

After Sujata’s brother Mariyadas lodged a complaint at Keshwapur Police Station, alleging that Congress Corporator Suvarna Kallakuntla and eight others had assaulted his family members, including Sujata on January 2, police tried to detain Suvarna on Thursday, she collapsed and was admitted to the Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI). Doctors said her blood pressure and blood sugar levels were high.

Suvarna Kallakuntla is one of the two complainants who had charged that Sujata and others assaulted them, for ‘questioning’ BJP workers’ presence with a booth level officer (BLO) during the family mapping of voters at Chalukya Nagar (Ward No 59). In connection with these allegations, Keshwapur police had arrested Sujata on January 5.

Keshwapur police have also registered FIRs against Sujata on charges of disrobing herself and attacking women police personnel during her arrest on January 5, and against those who took the video of the woman in disrobed condition and circulated it.

When BJP leaders are blaming the police and Congress corporator for 'inhumanly' treating Sujata, police and Congress leaders claim that she had herself removed her clothes, and even attacked women police personnel.