In a recent development, the Karnataka court in Hubballi granted bail to Hindu activist Srikanth Poojari, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in the riots following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992. This decision has come amidst widespread protests by the BJP across the state, criticizing the Congress government and labeling it as anti-Hindu.
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The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Parameshwara Prasanna B, while granting bail, noted that there were no substantial, valid, or compelling reasons to deny bail to Poojari at this stage. Poojari was taken into custody by the Hubli city police and had been in judicial custody since December 29, 2023.
The allegations against Poojari and other co-accused, identified as Hindu activists, stem from an incident on the night of December 6, 1992. It is claimed that they formed an unlawful assembly and set fire to shops in MG market, causing a wrongful loss of ₹1,85,000 to the complainant, who belongs to the Muslim community.
Poojari, charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), has a history of legal issues, with a total of 13 criminal cases registered against him in various police stations in Hubli. Additionally, there are three more cases related to Section 107 (security for keeping the peace in other cases) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
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However, Poojari’s counsel argued for his innocence, stating that there is no evidence linking him to the crime. They emphasized that Poojari has been in judicial custody since December 29, 2023, and is not required for any further investigation or interrogation.
Taking these factors into consideration, the court granted bail to Poojari on the execution of a personal bond for ₹1,00,000. The court, while granting bail, stated,
“Considering the factual aspects of this case, without expressing any opinion with regard to the merits and demerits of this case, this holds that it is just and proper to grant bail as prayed by the petitioner.”
This case has garnered significant attention, highlighting the ongoing political and communal tensions in the region. The court’s decision to grant bail to Srikanth Poojari is a critical development in this high-profile case, reflecting the complex interplay of legal, political, and communal dynamics in Karnataka.
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