Tamil Nadu man booked for issuing death threats to Chief Justice of Karnataka HC over hijab verdict

An office-bearer of the Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamaat (TNTJ) was arrested on Saturday night for issuing death threat to judges with reference to the Karnataka High Court verdict on hijab. The arrest came after multiple complaints in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The accused, identified as Rahamathulla, an Executive Member of TNTJ, was arrested in Madurai after a video of his speech made on Thursday in Madhurai went viral on social media.

The accused is heard speaking in a provocative manner instigating violence against judges.

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He also referred to a district judge in Jharkhand being mowed down by a vehicle during his morning walk last year and issued a threat to the Chief Justice of Karnataka by stating that people know where Chief Justice goes for a walk.

Hours earlier, BJP state chief K Annamalai wrote to Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Justice M N Bhandari, seeking an inquiry into the speeches.

In Bengaluru, the Vidhana Soudha police registered an FIR earlier in the day and informed their counterpart in Tamil Nadu. The complainant Sudha Katwa, a practicing advocate, said that she received a video on WhatsApp in which an unidentified person was speaking in Tamil.

The complainant stated that there is death threat, criminal intimidation, use of abusive language and the statements may breach peace and communal harmony in the society. The police have registered the FIR under IPC sections 506 (1), 505 (1) (B), 153A, 109 and 504.

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"The suspect Rahamtulla, a leader of TMTJ, made a speech during which he issued the threat. We have taken video as evidence of the case," police said.

Advocate Umapathi had filed a representation with the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court. The Registrar General received the complaint, Umapathi said.

Meanwhile, the Advocates Association Bangalore (AAB) has condemned the threat. AAB president Vivek S Reddy said, “It is unfortunate that instead of working out the appeal remedies under the constitution, certain persons are taking the law into their own hands and issuing death threats to honorable judges. The Advocates Association takes serious note of this and requests the Government of Karnataka to uphold the majesty of the law and initiate action against these persons.”

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