BENGALURU
The Special Court for People’s Representatives in Bengaluru has issued an arrest warrant against BJP MLA B.P. Harish from Harihar constituency after he failed to appear for hearings in a case related to alleged caste abuse.
Presiding over the matter, Special Court Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat directed authorities to arrest and produce the legislator before the court. The case has been adjourned to Thursday for further proceedings.
The charges stem from an incident on May 16, 2023, when officials of the Harihar Municipal Corporation and members of the Madiga community had gathered to congratulate Harish on his election victory. During the interaction, the MLA allegedly made derogatory remarks referring to caste, targeting a Scheduled Caste civil servant present at the event.
Though the controversy appeared to subside the same day after Harish reportedly apologised and reached a compromise with community leaders, the matter took a legal turn soon after. On the following day, Bahujan Samaj Party district president D. Hanumanthappa lodged a formal complaint at the Harihar Town Police Station.
In his complaint, Hanumanthappa alleged that the MLA later justified his remarks publicly during a felicitation programme, stating that what he had said was “true and correct.” Based on this, an FIR was registered, and the case was transferred to the Special Court for People’s Representatives for trial.
Despite multiple summons, Harish’s absence from court proceedings prompted the judge to take a stern view and issue a warrant.
The development marks a significant escalation in the case, with legal scrutiny intensifying over the allegations. Authorities are now expected to act on the court’s directive and ensure the MLA’s presence at the next hearing.