NIA court denies bail to Harsha murder accused

Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Bengaluru on Monday rejected the bail application filed by one of the accused in the murder of a 26-year-old Bajrang Dal activist Harsha.
Jafar Siddiqui, the 10th accused in the case, had sought bail from the court on medical grounds. However, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) P Prasanna Kumar argued that Jafar had cooperated with the prime accused in the case. Moreover, interrogation is still ongoing and investigators are yet to file the full report on Jaffer’s involvement, he argued.
The SPP further claimed that Harsha’s murder was not due to personal enmity. NIA investigation has unearthed evidence that the Hindu activist was murdered to create an atmosphere of “panic and terror” among the public, he argued. The court found merit in SPP’s argument and summarily rejected the bail application of the accused.
Harsha was allegedly stabbed to death on the night of February 20 in Shivamogga. Karnataka police initially went through the crimes allegedly committed by the Bajrang Dal activist in order to ascertain the possible motive behind his murder. Later the police said that Harsha was involved in at least five cases of assault and attempt to murder having communal overtones. It was alleged that he was also among the mob that attacked Muslim traders in Shivamogga city on December 3 2020.
After Harsha’s murder, the police had charged ten people with murder under the strict Unlawful Activisities (Prevention) Act. However further investigation into the murder of Harsha was handed over to the NIA in March.