Relief for RSS Leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat as Karnataka High Court Halts Coercive Action

In a recent hearing, Justice Rajesh Rai, presiding over the vacation bench, issued notices to the state and the complainant, instructing the State Public Prosecutor not to take any coercive action until the next hearing. This effectively puts a halt to Bhat’s arrest in the case.

Representing Bhat, senior advocate Arun Shyam argued that the case was politically motivated and that the RSS leader had merely stated facts protected under the right to freedom of speech.

The complaint was filed by social worker Najma Nazeer, leading to Bhat being booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including assault, obscenity, and promoting enmity between religious groups.

In a separate development, Bhat was granted anticipatory bail in the Srirangapatna case by the III Additional District and Sessions Judge in Mandya. This decision was based on Bhat’s health condition, as he had recently undergone cardiovascular surgery. The court acknowledged the petitioner’s claim that Bhat was suffering from severe cardiac health issues and cited previous Supreme Court judgments in granting him bail.

Overall, the Karnataka High Court’s directive to refrain from coercive action against Bhat, along with his subsequent bail, has temporarily relieved the RSS leader from legal consequences related to the alleged insult of Muslim women.

He was instructed to provide a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and a surety for the same amount.

However, the Sessions Court made it clear that the investigator has the freedom to question him, as allowed by the relevant provisions of the CrPC.