K’taka High Court raps Cong leader Gowda over threat to woman Municipal Commissioner over phone
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday rapped Congress leader Rajeev Gowda in connection with a case involving threats and abuse directed at a woman Municipal Commissioner over the phone and questioned the government for not booking him under serious charges.
A High Court bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna pulled up the petitioner, Rajeev Gowda, while hearing a petition seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him in the case. Rajeev Gowda is currently absconding, and the petition was filed through his advocate.
The High Court questioned why BNS Sections 71 (serious sexual offences against women and children) and 79 (words, sounds, gestures or objects intended to insult a woman’s modesty or intrude upon her privacy) were not invoked against the accused, despite him allegedly using foul language against a woman officer.
“Does the petitioner have no respect for women? How is it possible for the petitioner to speak in this manner? Words cannot be taken back once they are spoken. A loose tongue can destroy everything,” the Bench observed.
The court further remarked that even tendering an apology would not rectify the mindset that caused the hurt. The Bench reserved the matter for orders and adjourned the case.
Earlier, senior counsel Vivek Reddy, appearing for Rajeev Gowda, submitted that his client had apologised for the words spoken over the phone to the Municipal Commissioner. He contended that Section 132 of the BNS Act was not applicable to the case. The counsel sought protection from arrest for Gowda, stating that he was willing to cooperate with the investigation.
The counsel further stated that Rajeev Gowda was prepared to tender a public apology over the incident.
In his petition, Rajeev Gowda claimed that police personnel were stationed at his residence. He also alleged that a banner installed by him was removed while other banners were allowed to remain.
When the court sought the whereabouts of the petitioner, the advocate stated that he had no information. The Bench directed the Public Prosecutor to place all details of the case before the court.
Meanwhile, the police department has come under pressure for its failure to trace and arrest Rajeev Gowda.
Sources alleged that the accused is a supporter of Food Minister K.H. Muniyappa. At the same time, Higher Education Minister K.C. Sudhakar has reportedly directed the police to arrest him.
Police sources said they are caught in a difficult situation between the two ministers, as Sudhakar is also the district in-charge minister for Chikkaballapur.
It may be recalled that the purported audio clip of Rajeev Gowda allegedly abusing and threatening Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda of Sidlaghatta over the phone triggered outrage on last Wednesday.
The Karnataka State Women’s Commission has strongly condemned the alleged incident and urged the authorities to initiate legal action.
