Karnataka Home Minister instructs police to take action against Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi

Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that he has instructed the police to take stern action against activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi who has alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had “murdered 24 people”.

Without mentioning Mr. Thimarodi’s name, Dr. Parameshwara said action would be taken against the person without any hesitation.

“Do you think the government has become helpless?” the Home Minister asked the BJP, when the latter claimed that the government has gone “silent” on allegations made by Mr. Thimarodi.

Mr. Thimarodi and other activists have been campaigning under the banner of “Justice for Sowjanya” banner and released documents alleging irregularities in the disposal of unidentified bodies in Dharmasthala.

Reference to Poonja

Mr. Thimarody, it may be recalled, had made the statement about Mr. Siddaramaiah in a press conference during the Assembly election campaign in 2023. He had referred to an earlier statement made by MLA Harish Poonja that Mr. Siddaramaiah was accused of “murdering 24 Hindus.” He had said then: “If this is true, Mr. Siddaramaiah should step down from the post. If this is false, then action should be taken against the MLA for this statement.”

The Belthangady police, on a complaint by Namitha K. Poojary, registered a case against Mr. Poonja for his alleged derogatory statement.

Investigation into the complaint against Mr. Poonja has been stayed by the High Court of Karnataka. The petition is coming up for hearing on August 20.