What Happened in the Bengaluru Riot Case? NIA Court Sentences Three to Seven Years!

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Three individuals convicted of involvement in the 2020 Bengaluru riots.
- Seven years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000 for each convict.
- Conviction seen as a restoration of public trust in police.
- Incident highlights the dangers of mob violence.
- Reinforces the NIA's role in investigating serious offenses.
Bengaluru, July 23 (NationPress) The Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bengaluru has sentenced three individuals linked to the riot case of 2020 involving DJ Halli-KG Halli to a prison term of seven years and imposed a penalty of Rs 20,000 on each.
The convicted are Syed Ikramuddin (44), also known as Syed Naveed, from Kushalnagar in K.G. Halli; Syed Asif (46), residing in Bharat Mata Layout; and Mohammad Atif (26), who lives in Basava Nagar.
Ikramuddin was identified as the 14th accused, Asif as the 16th, and Atif as the 18th in the formal charges. They were found guilty of criminal conspiracy for their roles in setting ablaze the KG Halli police station amid the riots.
The investigation was conducted by the National Investigation Agency, which subsequently filed a comprehensive chargesheet. The defendants were presented in court via video link.
P. Prasanna Kumar, the Special Public Prosecutor for the NIA, remarked: "The police are responsible for safeguarding law, order, and public peace. Attacks on such protectors can erode public trust in their efficacy, jeopardizing overall order."
“A strong police presence ensures our safety. By attacking the KG Halli Police Station, the accused compromised public trust and security,” he added.
This ruling not only reinstates public faith in the police but also reinforces the central government's decision to declare the Popular Front of India (PFI) as an unlawful entity.
The incident took place on August 11, 2020, when a group of 25 to 30 protestors gathered outside the KG Halli Police Station, demanding the arrest of Naveen, the nephew of former MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, over a controversial social media post allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammad.
Under the leadership of Ikramuddin and others, the crowd forced their way into the KG Halli Police Station, demanding action against Naveen. Tensions escalated, particularly as violence spread from nearby DJ Halli.
Despite a curfew, the unruly assembly grew more aggressive, shouting slogans and throwing stones at police and civilians alike. The mob employed stones, iron rods, wooden sticks, makeshift petrol bombs, and other weapons.
The situation intensified as they vandalized and set fire to parked government and private vehicles, threatening to kill Naveen.
Equipped with weapons and petrol bombs, the mob invaded the police station and continued their assault on law enforcement and bystanders.
The chaos escalated, instilling fear. The police responded with baton charges and tear gas to manage the situation, but the mob retaliated fiercely, resulting in injuries to several officers.
Ultimately, police fired upon the mob; one individual was wounded during this exchange and later succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The crowd then gradually dispersed from the KG Halli Police Station vicinity.
During the riots, 12 vehicles were damaged, including five two-wheelers and one Innova car, which were completely burned, while six others suffered various degrees of damage.
Authorities named 199 individuals in the FIR, arresting 187, with four surrendering, and one accused deceased. A chargesheet was later filed against 138 individuals.