Case Registered Against Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna Over Alleged Hate Speech
Udupi: A case has been registered against Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna after Congress leaders accused him of delivering a hate speech and making derogatory remarks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a BJP protest in Udupi city.
According to the complaint, Suvarna made the remarks while addressing a protest organized by the Udupi District BJP on Tuesday. It is alleged that during his speech, he warned that Rahul Gandhi’s family would be “destroyed” in the same manner as the Babri Masjid was demolished.
Following the incident, Congress leaders approached the Udupi Town Police Station late on Tuesday night and submitted a complaint to Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad. The complaint was filed by Udupi District Congress President Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, based on which the police registered a case against the MLA.
Among those present when the complaint was lodged were Congress leaders Prasad Raj Kanchan, former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, advocates Habib Ali and Harish Pangala, along with other party members.
The complaint further states that Suvarna allegedly claimed Rahul Gandhi was “under the influence of drugs round the clock” and was unable to think clearly. He is also accused of saying that Rahul Gandhi was joining hands with the “Cockroach” group to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to the Babri Masjid demolition of 1992, Suvarna reportedly warned that if such “drama” continued, BJP workers would similarly “destroy Rahul Gandhi’s lineage,” describing it as a warning to Rahul Gandhi’s camp.
Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar confirmed that a case had been registered against the MLA for allegedly making inflammatory statements amounting to hate speech during the protest, which fell under the jurisdiction of the Udupi Town Police Station.
Based on the complaint filed by Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, FIR No. 103/2026 has been registered at the Udupi Town Police Station. The case has been booked under Sections 57, 192, 196(2), 352, 353(2), and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police officials said further legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.
