MLA’s man out and into jail in 24 hrs

Did Shanthinagar MLA NA Haris meddle with police affairs to get one of his supporters released from police detention? The incident that took place at Ashoknagar police station on Wednesday evening indicates so.

Ashoknagar police had detained one Saleem on Wednesday for allegedly instigating 27-year-old Mujahid Ahmed Qureshi to assault a Neelasandra resident, who was of Northeastern origin, to force him to leave Bangalore. Qureshi allegedly carried out the task on Tuesday.

Based on a complaint by the victim before DG&IG of Police Lalrokuma Pachau, the latter ordered deputy commissioner of police (Central) BR Ravikanthegowda to take action against those responsible for the attack. Qureshi was then detained by Ashoknagar police and questioned. Qureshi revealed that two brothers, Saleem and Hyder, had offered him money to assault the Neelasandra resident. Police said the brothers had shown him several clips of the Assam riots to instigate him into assaulting the victim.

Based on the revelations, police nabbed Saleem on Wednesday.
Sources in Ashoknagar police said Saleem, when brought in, kept repeating that he was an ardent supporter of Haris. This was proved when Haris walked into Ashoknagar police station along with 20 followers, who arrived in five vehicles, on Wednesday evening to inquire about Saleem.

However, sources told DNA that Haris and his men managed to get Saleem released, much to the embarrassment of the policemen present as it had happened even as they were investigating the case.When DNA received the information, a visit to the police station confirmed that Saleem had been taken away by Haris and his men.

Interestingly, DCP Ravikanthegowda was unaware about the developments. After DNA informed him, he cross-checked and confirmed that Haris visited the police station and questioned the policemen about Saleem’s detention.

When DNA contacted Haris about his visit to Ashoknagar police station, the latter was elusive with his replies. First, he flatly refused that he had visited Ashoknagar police station; then, during the same conversation, on being told that this reporter had seen him and his followers entering the police station, he said his visit was personal, mainly to acquaint himself with the newly instated police inspector there, Murali HS.

Late on Wednesday, Pachau was forced to order policemen to salvage the situation. “I am not aware of the issue that some politician had been to the police station, but I will talk to the DCP to look into the matter,” he said. “Attack is a serious issue and police will investigate the case.”

“Saleem and Hyder were detained by police on Thursday after senior officers, including DCP Ravikanthegowda, realised that one accused was released,” said a senior police officer. “The DCP ordered that the duo be taken into custody immediately.”
An FIR has now been registered against Saleem, Hyder and Qureshi, he said.

Haris, on his part, reportedly told Ashoknagar police that he was unaware that Saleem and Hyder were possibly involved in assaulting north-easterners.