Bangalore: Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 have been invoked against 10 people arrested in connection with the killing of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha in Shimoga, Karnataka on February 20. A senior police officer said that there is a suspicion of a larger conspiracy behind the murder. Harsh, a 27-year-old activist is said to have been murdered by a group of people with whom he had been allegedly having a dispute since 2016. One of the 10 people arrested for the murder of the activist, 30-year-old Mohammed Kashif, was imprisoned in jail along with Harsha in 2017. Several other accused had allegedly helped Kashif in carrying out the crime. Kashif has several cases of assault, theft and dacoity registered against him.

In fact, the provisions of the UAPA are generally applicable in cases where a conspiracy to target the integrity of the country is suspected. For those against whom the UAPA is imposed, it becomes difficult to get bail. Sources said Harsh had clashed in a court complex about six months ago with one of the accused among the attackers. There is a possibility that this could be the reason for committing a heinous crime like murder. However, the police are trying to unearth a larger conspiracy in the case. This is because the murder took place amid the ongoing hijab controversy in Karnataka. Bajrang Dal activist Harsh was allegedly involved in programmes in support of banning the hijab in some colleges in Shimoga.

Shimoga MLA and minister KS Eshwarappa and Union minister Shobha Karandlaje had demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the matter. However, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Gyanendra on Friday said the state police will conduct an inquiry. Let us know that some people who came in a car in the Bharti Nagar area of Shimoga stabbed the Bajrang Dal worker to death. Sources said the arrested persons are being investigated for their nexus with political and social organisations.

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