After nearly two years, the brutal murder of Hindu activist Harsha, a Bajrang Dal member, has resurfaced in the headlines following fresh allegations of witness intimidation. One of the key witnesses in the case has reportedly received threats not to testify, leading to the registration of a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 at the Tunganagar police station.
Murder of Harsha
Harsha, a 26-year-old tailor and Bajrang Dal activist hailed from Seegehatti in Shivamogga district. On February 20, 2022, Harsha was brutally murdered near the Kamat petrol pump around 9:30 pm. His murder was linked to his active demand for a uniform dress code in Karnataka’s educational institutions during the state’s Hijab Row. Following the attack, Harsha was rushed to McGann District Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The incident triggered massive unrest in Shivamogga. On the day following Harsha’s killing, the situation turned volatile as 20 vehicles were vandalised, and some were set on fire in Seegehatti. The district administration imposed Section 144 to control the violence, and a heavy police contingent was deployed to maintain order. Educational institutions, commercial establishments, and cinema halls were ordered to remain closed to prevent further escalation.
Witness Threatened: A Detailed Account
The murder case is currently under trial in the NIA court and has reached the evidence stage. Among the witnesses is a young man who worked at a petrol station in Shivamogga on the night of Harsha’s murder. During the Agency’s (NIA) probe, it was revealed that the accused had refuelled their car at this petrol station prior to the killing. The young man was subsequently listed as a key witness in the case.
In a shocking development, the witness reported being indirectly threatened. According to the complaint filed at Tunganagar police station, an unknown person approached a friend of the witness, warning him not to testify in court. The threat escalated when an individual riding a scooter visited the petrol station a few days ago, inquiring about the witness’s whereabouts. Upon learning that he no longer worked there, the individual reportedly instructed the petrol station staff to convey a message: “Tell him not to go to court.”
This information reached the witness through friends. Despite the threat, the witness testified in the NIA court on December 12, 2023. The following day, based on the court’s instructions, a formal complaint was filed at Tunganagar police station under Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Investigation Underway
The police have registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the matter. Authorities are working to identify the unknown individual who issued the threats. The young man, who has since left his job at the petrol station, is now engaged in another profession.
Background: The Aftermath of Harsha’s Murder
Harsha’s murder sent shockwaves across Karnataka, particularly in Shivamogga. As a prominent Bajrang Dal activist, Harsha was often seen participating in demonstrations wearing saffron shawls and advocating for the uniform dress code during the Hijab Row controversy.
Several vehicles were set ablaze during stone-pelting incidents despite heavy police deployment.
The district administration imposed prohibitory orders, shutting down educational institutions and businesses to restore order.
The testimony of the petrol station employee is considered crucial as it establishes the movements of the accused on the night of the murder. The NIA has been meticulously gathering evidence to build a strong case, but the recent intimidation incident has raised concerns about attempts to derail the judicial process.
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