PDO booked for derogatory WhatsApp status on CM

A FIR has been registered against Praveenkumar Udagi, a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) attached to Suntanur gram panchayat in Aland taluk of Kalaburagi district, for allegedly posting a derogatory WhatsApp status targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

He is charged under Sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 198 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

According to the complaint lodged by Mallikarjun Dhannur, a local leader, the PDO had posted a WhatsApp status on August 21 with the caption “Sidramulla Khan” and a morphed image of the Chief Minister wearing a skullcap. He also questioned whether there was any value for farmers in the budget of “Sidramulla Khan”. He added that reservations to Muslims in the contract were more important than the farmers’ plight [in the budget].

The post drew strong objections from local residents. Additionally, another village leader, Mahalingappa Harawal, and Beeranna Poojari, president of the Aland Taluk Kuruba Sangha Youth Wing, submitted petitions to the Panchayat authorities, demanding disciplinary action against the PDO.

Suspension

Meanwhile, Manappa Kattimani, Executive Engineer (EE) of Aland Taluk Panchayat, issued a show-cause notice to the PDO in question and submitted a report to Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena. Based on the report and the PDO’s response, Mr. Meena issued an order placing the PDO under suspension pending an enquiry.  

“In his response to the show-cause notice, the PDO in question has denied the allegations. The EE is of the opinion that the response was unacceptable and requested for his suspension,” Mr. Meena told The Hindu.