The Karnataka High Court on Saturday, August 29, came down heavily on Whitefield police over how they handled a case against Hindu activist Mohan Gowda, who opposed stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's show in Bengaluru.
A bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna directly questioned DCP Saidulu Adavath, ACP Reena Suvarna and the investigating officer over the manner in which Gowda was taken from Udupi to Bengaluru, even after he had been issued a notice to appear for questioning.
"What is happening at your Whitefield police station? Are you not governed by the rule of law?" the bench asked the police officers.
The court also expressed serious concern over non-functioning CCTV cameras at the police station. Referring to the alleged lapses, Justice Nagaprasanna remarked that everything at Whitefield police station appeared to be "in the dark" and suggested it would be more appropriate to call it "Dark Field".
The case began after Gowda posted on social media about the cancellation of Kamra's show. Police registered an FIR against him following a complaint by a constable, alleging the post could disturb communal harmony.
The court questioned why officers needed to travel all the way to Udupi to bring Gowda to Bengaluru after already issuing him a notice. It also asked why the FIR was registered at around 2 am and why Gowda was taken into custody at all.
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