Bengaluru riots: NIA arrests 17 SDPI & PFI leaders for violence at KG Halli police station

In a massive development in the Bengaluru riots case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested 17 SDPI and PFI party leaders for their involvement in violence at the KG Halli Police Station on August 11. The new set of arrests come almost a month after 43 locations in Bengaluru including 4 offices of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), were raided by the NIA. 

During the raids, which took place on November 18,  the NIA nabbed incriminating evidence at the SDPI offices including swords, knives and iron rods which have been seized by the agency. So far, 187 accused persons have been arrested in the case and further probe is underway. 

The NIA's investigation comes under two broad cases that have been registered at the KG Halli and DJ Halli Police stations. The cases pertain to 'large scale rioting armed with lethal weapons causing injuries to police personnel, destruction of public and private property including the two police stations which had become a hotspot during the violence, and intentions to cause terror in the society.'

Read: Bengaluru Riots: Congress Neta Sampath Raj Remanded To 2-day Police Custody After Arrest

Read: Bengaluru Riots: Accused Ex-Congress Mayor Sampath Raj Remanded In 2-Day NIA Custody

SDPI's role unearthed

SDPI, which is the political front of the Popular Front of India (PFI) has been under the NIA scanner since the investigation agency unearthed links of Karnataka SDPI secretary Muzamil Pasha in the case. The SDPI Secretary has been accused of calling a meeting and directing the members of PFI and SDPI to instigate the mob and incite violence at the KG Halli and DJ Halli Police stations which ultimately resulted in the death of 3 people and had left 60 police personnel injured. 

Notably, as per the chargesheet filed by the Central Crime Branch, the police has also alleged that Congress corporators- Sampath Raj and Zakir Hussain along with the SDPI instigated the Bengaluru riots. Sources have revealed that the NIA is now looking into an alleged 'terror angle' in the case. 

Bengaluru Riots

At around 8.30 pm on August 11, a riot-like situation was witnessed between the KG Halli and DJ Halli police station limits in East Bengaluru. A mob of more than 1000 people gathered outside the residence of Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy demanding immediate action against his relative Naveen. Soon, the police resorted to the use of force to contain the violence. By the time the situation was brought under control at around 1 am on August 12, three people were killed, nearly 60 police personnel including DCP Bhimashankar Guled were injured and over 300 vehicles were burnt in the violence. 

So far, more than 340 persons have been arrested for arson, stone-pelting, and attacking the police. This includes Naveen and Kaleem Pasha, the husband of Congress corporator Irshad Begum. Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa has announced that the state government would assess the damages caused to public and private property and recover the costs from the culprits.

Read: Bengaluru Riots: 4 SDPI Offices Raided; Incriminating Evidence, Swords & Knives Seized

Read: Bengaluru Riots: Post NIA Raids At SDPI Offices, JD(S) Alleges Congress Role In Violence