Karnataka Police Invokes UAPA In Harsha Murder Case, Considers Handing It Over To NIA

Ten accused in the murder of the Bajrang Dal activist Harsha, whose killing made national headlines, have been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) by the Shivamogga Police.

Suspecting a larger conspiracy behind the brutal killing of Harsha in Shivamogga, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is said to have called this a "case of more than a murder" as reported, and that "there is more than what meets the eyes". The government is said to be hence contemplating handing over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) once the local investigation is complete.

As quoted by The Hindu, a senior police official said that the investigations have revealed that the killing of the Hindu activist was not a case of personal enmity alone. While refraining from divulging the findings of the probe, Karnataka State Police DG and IGP Praveen Sood reportedly said, ”the investigation officer in his wisdom has decided UAPA needs to be invoked and the court has permitted him".

The UAPA is invoked in cases that involve threats to national security and integrity. While one of the accused Kashif and the deceased are said to have had personal enmity over a dispute during their stint in prison, investigations into the murder that took place on 20 February are said to have revealed there was much more to the fatal attack than just that.

Meanwhile, as reported by India Today, the wife of the accused Kashif, a lorry driver, said he had gone out to fetch diapers around 8pm and returned around 11pm and was later picked up by the police.

Top leaders of the Karnataka BJP including Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa, and party national general secretary had sought that the case be handed over to the NIA.

Once the accused are booked under UAPA, securing a bail is extremely difficult, which also gives the police their custody for 30 days and up to 180 days for filing the chargesheet in comparison to 90 days in case of ordinary ones.