Three held for assaulting labourer for wearing saffron towel at Kalasipalya in Bengaluru

Three persons were arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly assaulting a labourer of a private travel agency for wearing a saffron towel at Kalasipalya bus stand, on August 25.

The accused — Tabrez, 30, from Nagawara, a mechanic; Imran Khan, 35, from Banashankari, a radium cutting worker; and Ajeez Khan, 47, from Tilak Nagar, who work in real estate — have been charged under Sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 302 (uttering words, making sounds or gestures, or placing objects with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of another person), and 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace).

According to the police, the alleged assault occurred on August 24 at 9.30 pm near the Royal Travels office, opposite the Kalasipalya BMTC Bus Stand in Bengaluru.

The FIR was registered following a complaint by Harikrishna, who works as loading in-charge at Royal Travels. Harikrishna claimed that he and his team of workers were doing their job when the suspects arrived and confronted Shilendra Kumar, one of the workers.

“They pushed Shilendra Kumar after asking why he wore a saffron towel. When I intervened, they abused me, assaulted me and tore my shirt. They also asked why my workers were allowed to wear saffron towels and forced him to remove the garment,” Harikrishna alleged.

Kalasipalya police initially filed a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR). They registered the FIR on August 25 after receiving permission from a local court.