BJP MLA Booked for 'Threatening' Police in Illegal Mining Case!

BJP MLA booked for 'threatening' police in illegal mining case

BJP MLA Harish Poonja, accompanied by his associates, reportedly entered the Belthangadi police station, demanding the release of individuals accused of illegal mining, according to the police.

A case has been registered against Belthangadi MLA Harish Poonja on Sunday for allegedly pressuring the police to release a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker who was arrested in connection with an illegal mining case, as stated by the police.

According to the police, the incident occurred when Poonja and his supporters forcefully entered the Belthangadi police station, demanding the release of individuals accused of illegal mining, on Saturday night.

Police reported that acting on a tip-off regarding illegal mining in Melantabettu village, they conducted a raid on a stone quarry and confiscated various items, including a Hitachi machine, a tractor, four live ammunition rounds, and four empty rounds.

A case was filed under several sections, including illegal possession of explosives, leading to the arrest of BJP's Yuva Morcha taluk president and notorious individual Shashiraj Shetty (35). However, another suspect, Pramod Ujire, also affiliated with the BJP, remains at large, with the police actively searching for him.

Following Shetty's arrest, Poonja allegedly led a group to the Belthangadi police station, demanding his release. The MLA and his supporters purportedly staged a sit-in protest and exerted pressure on the police to free Shetty.

A video purportedly showing Poonja engaged in a heated exchange with a police officer went viral on social media on Sunday. In the video, Poonja can be seen allegedly questioning the authority of the police and threatening to take action against the officers involved.

Despite the pressure, police stated that a case against Shashiraj Shetty was registered, and he was presented in court, which remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days.

"The MLA insulted police officials and also obstructed police from discharging their official duties. We booked him under IPC sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) and 504 (intentional insult), and the investigation is ongoing," said MN Dharmappa, Dakshina Kannada district additional superintendent of police.

In a post on X, the Congress stated: "The BJP MLA's support for illegal rock mining is apparent. The MLA even threatened to demoralize police officers by supporting a notorious individual. However, the police maintained impartiality."