Bengaluru, Jan 26 (NationPress) The Karnataka Police have apprehended Congress leader Rajeev Gowda on Monday in Kerala related to an alleged incident of threatening and verbally abusing a female municipal commissioner concerning the removal of a banner.

Rajeev Gowda had gone into hiding after allegations surfaced regarding his abusive behavior and threats directed towards Sidlaghatta City Municipal Commissioner Amruta Gowda. The police from Chikkaballapur successfully arrested him near the border of Kerala and Karnataka.

Confirming the arrest, Chikkaballapur Superintendent of Police Kushal Chouksey stated that Rajeev Gowda was taken into custody in the border area. The Sidlaghatta police are currently in the process of returning the accused to their jurisdiction. Additional updates will be provided tomorrow (January 27), he noted.

Prior to his travel to Kerala, Rajeev Gowda had been residing at a resort in Mangaluru. It is reported that he arrived in Mangaluru in a relative's vehicle and spent one night there.

After his stay in Mangaluru, it appears that Rajeev Gowda utilized a car belonging to a businessman from the city to continue his journey to Kerala. He reportedly abandoned the vehicle near Mangaluru Junction railway station before proceeding towards Kerala, while his driver later left the car at the same station.

Sources indicate that Rajeev Gowda had driven from Sidlaghatta to Mangaluru in his MG Hector car. The police from Sidlaghatta, who were in pursuit of him, visited various locations tied to him and conducted inspections but initially failed to locate him. Ultimately, using GPS data from his vehicle, they were able to track his movements and gather vital leads.

On January 12, Rajeev Gowda allegedly made a threatening phone call to Commissioner Amruta Gowda regarding the banner issue. Following this, a formal complaint was filed on January 14, leading to his disappearance.

This morning, police received a tip-off regarding his presence in the Mangaluru district, which prompted heightened surveillance. However, upon realizing the police were closing in, Rajeev Gowda managed to elude capture from Mangaluru.

Last Friday, the Karnataka Congress suspended Rajeev Gowda for his alleged threats and abusive language directed at a female municipal commissioner concerning the removal of a banner. The suspension was enacted by the KPCC Disciplinary Committee.

A meeting of the Disciplinary Committee was convened in Bengaluru, and after evaluating the seriousness of the situation, they decided to suspend him. Rajeev Gowda had previously contested the last Assembly elections from Sidlaghatta and is currently evading arrest in this case.

Last Thursday, the Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition filed by Rajeev Gowda requesting to quash the FIR lodged against him for allegedly using abusive language and issuing threats to a female municipal commissioner regarding the banner removal in Sidlaghatta.

In a recent session, the Karnataka High Court criticized Rajeev Gowda concerning this case and questioned the government for not pursuing more serious charges against him.