In August last year, a Muslim mob of over 1000 had attacked Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s house and two police stations following a social media post by Murthy’s nephew.
On Monday (September 20), the NIA arrested Tabrez, who was involved in the attack on two police stations in Bengaluru last year and was absconding for over a year.
“Tabrez is a member of Sagaipuram ward, SDPI, a political outfit of Popular Front of India (PFI) and was involved in hatching the conspiracy to attack the DJ Halli PS and had instigated many others on Whats App groups,” the NIA said in a statement.
It added, “He was also found involved in burning vehicles and damaging public/private property.”
The NIA had also earlier named Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) leader Muzamil Pasha for instigating the mob and inciting violence.
Following a social media post by Congress, MLA’s nephew Naveen, a Muslim mob, had turned violent and attacked the MLA’s house. The mob also attacked police stations and damaged public and private properties.
“After conducting a thorough investigation, NIA had filed the charge sheet before the NIA Special Court, Bengaluru under various sections of UA (P) Act, IPC and Karnataka Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Property Act (KPDLP Act) against 109 accused persons on 05.02.2021,” the NIA statement said.
The Congress MLA Murthy, who is a Scheduled Caste, did not get support from his party. The Karnataka State Congress chief DK Shivakumar had declined to comment on the issue, citing a lack of information about the incident.
The other vocal supporters of the Dalit-Muslim unity had also gone silent on the issue. A brazen attempt was made to portray it as a small law and order problem.
