In a significant development, Karnataka police have apprehended three individuals in connection with the alleged chanting of pro-Pakistan slogans within the Assembly premises by supporters of Congress leader Naseer Hussain, subsequent to his recent election to the Rajya Sabha.
According to a statement released on March 4 by the central Deputy Commissioner of Police’s office, the arrests of the three individuals have been confirmed. Sources indicate that the suspects have been identified as Iltaz from Delhi, Munnavar residing in R.T. Nagar, Bengaluru, and Mohammad Nashipudi from Byadagi town in Haveri district, Karnataka. They are scheduled to appear before the Judge of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court at his residence in Koramangala after undergoing a medical examination today.
The trio has been remanded to police custody until March 6 by the Judge of the 39th ACMM court.
Following Congress’s Syed Naseer Hussain’s victory in the Rajya Sabha poll on February 27, his supporters purportedly chanted pro-Pakistan slogans within the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha premises. They were heard shouting “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans. The Vidhana Soudha police, prompted by BJP protests and demands for the arrest of those involved in endorsing Pakistan, registered a case and made arrests. The BJP accused the Congress of delaying the release of an audio-confirmation report from the forensic laboratory. It claimed that Hussain’s aides unabashedly raised “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans within the assembly premises.
The BJP referenced a viral video on social media to support its claims. However, the Congress countered, stating that the BJP misinterpreted “Nazeer Saab Zindabad” slogans as “Pakistan Zindabad.” In an attempt to discredit Congress claims, the BJP circulated a forensic report on social media platforms, asserting its confirmation of pro-Pakistani sloganeering.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah pledged action upon receiving the forensic reports of CCTV footage retrieved from the area. In a statement released by the police, it was mentioned that the arrests were made following analysis from the forensic science laboratory (FSL) report, gathering of circumstantial evidence, statements from the accused, and evidence collected during the investigation. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that he was uninformed about the arrests until they were reported by the media. He further added that the police have been granted full autonomy to conduct their investigation. DCP (Central) Shekhar H Tekkannavar informed the media, “We apprehended the trio based on evidence, including a forensic report, circumstantial proof, and eyewitness statements.”
According to sources, a report produced by the private laboratory Clue for Evidence Forensic Investigations, signed by audio forensic examiner Phaneendar BN, asserted that the slogan “Pakistan Zindabad” was highly likely in the 30-second video. The report, commissioned by the Bengaluru-based Samvada Foundation, a non-profit organization allegedly associated with the RSS, stated that the video footage of the incident was not tampered with or doctored. Phaneendar alleged that based on the specific question posed in this case, regarding whether the slogan heard was “Nasir Saab Zindabad” or “Pakistan Zindabad,” the analysis strongly indicates that it is highly probable to be “Pakistan Zindabad.”
The Congress lodged a police complaint against State BJP Chief BN Vijayendra and others for disseminating “unsubstantiated and fabricated” information on social media. Minister Parameshwara assured that the Government’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report would be disclosed publicly upon submission. He affirmed, “If the report confirms the raising of such a slogan, immediate action will be taken. There is no intention to conceal it, as alleged by the BJP.”
R Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly from the BJP, accused the Congress government of possessing the official FSL report but attempting to withhold it to protect certain individuals. A memorandum was submitted to the Director General of Police Alok Mohan by BJP legislators LA Ravi Subramanya, CK Ramamurthy, and Uday B Garudachar, urging intervention to release the official FSL report to the public.
Karnataka State Congress spokesperson AN Nataraj Gowda filed a complaint against BJP State President BY Vijayendra and others for disseminating a “false forensic report” on social media. These unfolding events are expected to escalate the political drama to new heights.
