CM defends FIR against BJP MLA

Dakshina Kannada, NT Bureau: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended police action against BJP MLA from Belthangady Harish Poonja, adding that an FIR has been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 353 for allegedly intimidating cops.

IPC section 153 refers to the use or a threat to use force to prevent a public servant from doing his job. A couple of days ago, videos had gone viral wherein Poonja was abusing cops.

The CM made the comments to mediapersons at Mangaluru Airport on Saturday. Reacting to the opposition's allegation that the Congress is compelling cops to arrest Poonja, the CM said: “The law is the same for everyone. An FIR has been registered under IPC 353, which is a non-bailable offence. According to this law, there is a possibility of seven years imprisonment. Should the allegations against Harish Poonja be denied just because he is an MLA?”

Responding to Harish Poonja getting station bail, the CM said that two cases of threatening police have been registered against him.“Can he threaten the police just because he is an MLA?” the CM asked.