Puneeth Kerehalli, a Hindutva activist facing murder charges, was released on bail on Saturday after being detained by Karnataka Police for allegedly trespassing and threatening a homeowner for renting to migrant tenants.
The police action followed accusations from a civil rights collective, which claimed that Karnataka authorities failed to address Kerehalli’s acts of intimidation against migrant workers. Kerehalli has publicly shared videos of himself entering migrant residences, demanding identification documents, and labeling Muslim residents as “illegal migrants.”
A video circulating on social media depicted Kerehalli’s supporters protesting outside the police station while he was being taken to court. He is notably the primary suspect in the death of cattle transporter Idrees Pasha in Ramanagara district in March 2023.
A detailed complaint was submitted to the Karnataka Director General of Police by the Campaign Against Hate Speech, calling for immediate legal action against Kerehalli. The complaint asserts that his actions amount to unlawful entry, criminal intimidation, promotion of communal animosity, and interference with law enforcement.
The incident in question occurred on January 13, when Kerehalli and several associates allegedly entered the residence of Siddesh in Doddathoguru. During this trespassing, Kerehalli reportedly threatened Siddesh for renting to migrant workers.
Kerehalli has a history of posting videos that depict him leading protests and interrogating migrants about their nationality while demanding Aadhaar cards. In a video from January 14, he is heard asking migrants about their countries of origin, while his associates make unverified claims regarding their identities, particularly targeting Muslim individuals.
“This is not an immigration check but an act of communal profiling and intimidation,” remarked the civil rights group, underscoring the risks faced by migrant and working-class communities due to such vigilantism.
The complaint highlights that some incidents occurred in the presence of police officers, raising concerns about potential complicity or negligence. It alleges that Kerehalli has pressured law enforcement to conduct inquiries in his presence, circumventing formal procedures and encouraging vigilantism.
Rights advocates have noted an alarming trend of violence associated with perceived “Bangladeshi” identity. The complaint cites multiple recent incidents in Kerala, Odisha, and Karnataka, where victims were assaulted following inquiries about their nationality. These occurrences illustrate how unofficial identity checks can quickly escalate into violent confrontations.
The post “Karnataka: Murder accused Hindutva activist Puneeth Kerehalli held for harassing migrant workers gets bail” was originally published on Maktoob Media.
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