Vinay Somaiah 'suicide' case: BJP leaders, including Vijayendra, detained as party seeks FIR against Congress MLAs & CBI probe

Madikeri: The Karnataka police on Saturday took into custody several BJP leaders, including Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra, as the saffron camp continued the protest demanding inclusion of two Congress MLAs in the FIR in connection with the alleged suicide of BJP worker Vinay Somaiah.

As BJP leaders attempted to break into the office of Kushalnagar Deputy SP, the police took all the BJP leaders, including B Y Vijayendra and others, into custody.

BJP workers also staged a roadblock in front of Kushalnagar Community Health Centre and prevented the removal of the body of Somaiah from the mortuary.

On Saturday morning, Vijayendra issued an one-hour ultimatum to include the names of Chief Minister's legal advisor A S Ponnanna and MLA Dr Mantar Gowda in the FIR.

Warning that they will not be responsible for any consequences after that, Vijayendra demanded that the case to be handed over to the CBI for further investigation.

He lashed out at state government, accusing it of running a "Tughlaq Darbar" by filing cases against those who speak out.

Meanwhile, the body of Vinay Somaiah has been placed at the Kushalnagar Community Health Centre, where hundreds of people have gathered. The atmosphere in the district remains tense.