Case Filed Against 38 HJV Activists for Attempting to Disrupt ‘Samadhana Mahotsav’ in Udupi
Udupi: The Udupi Town Police have registered a case against 38 members of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) following their detention on March 20th for unlawful assembly and an attempt to march towards the venue of the ‘Samadhana Mahotsav’ programme. The incident occurred amid heightened security measures implemented in accordance with the Karnataka High Court’s directives.
The ‘Samadhana Mahotsav,’ organized by the Fellowship of Udupi District Churches, was held at the Christian PU College grounds in Udupi from March 20th to 22nd. The event, which had received prior court permission, featured Christian preacher Mohan C. Lazarus as the main speaker.
Anticipating potential protests from Hindu organizations, law enforcement had deployed a significant police presence. According to reports, at approximately 5:00 pm on March 20th, a group of approximately 38 protestors, allegedly led by HJV leader Srikanth Shetty, commenced a march from Govinda Kalyana Mantapa in the direction of the ‘Samadhana Mahotsav’ venue. The group reportedly engaged in sloganeering, prompting intervention by the police.
Mahesh Prasad, Inspector of Manipal Police Station, who was also in charge of Udupi Town Police Station, was on duty during the incident. Police officers present at the scene intercepted the protestors, informing them of the High Court’s sanction of the ‘Samadhana Mahotsav’ and cautioning them against further advancement. Despite these warnings, the protestors allegedly persisted in their march, leading to their detention and subsequent arrest.
The arrested individuals include Mahesh Shenai (43), Srikanth Shetty, Santosh (27), Umesh Naik (51), Umesh (35), Ramesh Shetty (43), Rajesh Uchchil (41), Darshan (23), Uday Kumar (44), Prashanth (40), Gururaj (37), Ajith Golikatte (39), Radhakrishna (55), Ritesh Poojary (25), Jagadish Poojary (31), Mahesh Poojary (33), Sunil Poojary (26), Chirag H.S. (22), Sudeep Kadiyali (23), Nikhil (28), Sujeeth (28), Sajan M. Shetty (34), Rajesh Paiyar (43), Lakshman Karkera (49), Sharath Kumar Bailakere (42), Shailendra Shetty (50), Vikesh S. (29), Nithesh (32), Saroja Shenai (52), Tara S., Tara Acharya (55), Sinchan (21), Dhanush Shetty (21), Vishek Shetty (20), Satvik (20), Manish (21), Ashwath Acharya (37), and Dinesh Sawant (47).
The Udupi Town Police Station has registered a case under Crime No. 44/2026, invoking Sections 189(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and 112 of the Karnataka Police Act. An investigation into the matter is currently underway.