FIR Filed Against Six Individuals in Karnataka's Raichur for Threatening Union Minister Pralhad Joshi?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka Police have filed an FIR against six individuals.
- The individuals allegedly threatened Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.
- The FIR was based on a complaint from BJP District President Veeranagouda Patil.
- The incident is linked to ongoing protests for an AIIMS facility in Raichur.
- Accusations include derogatory remarks towards local MLA Shivaraj Patil.
Raichur (Karnataka), June 26 (NationPress) - The Karnataka Police have filed an FIR against six individuals for allegedly employing threatening and objectionable language towards the Union Minister for Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, and Raichur BJP MLA Shivaraj Patil.
The FIR was initiated following a complaint from BJP District President Veeranagouda Patil. The FIR was recorded at the West Police Station in Raichur City against Ashok Jain, Basavaraj Kalasa, M.R. Bery, S.R. Mareppa, and others.
All accused are significant participants in the ongoing agitation for establishing an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raichur district, which has been ongoing for several years.
The FIR states that during a press conference on June 24 in Raichur, the accused allegedly threatened to attack Union Minister Pralhad Joshi wherever they encountered him, claiming they would assault him with stones, sticks, and sandals.
The complainant noted that the threats made by the accused could potentially incite social unrest.
These threats were reportedly a reaction to Minister Joshi's recent comment that the decision on AIIMS would occur only after fulfilling necessary criteria and receiving a report from the expert committee.
The agitators have expressed discontent with this stance, questioning if the same criteria were applied to other AIIMS institutes across the nation. They further accused Minister Joshi of attempting to divert the planned AIIMS to his hometown of Hubballi.
Additionally, the accused reportedly used derogatory terms toward local BJP MLA Shivaraj Patil, labeling him as a "slave" of the Union Minister.
The BJP unit has also lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner regarding this incident.
This FIR has been registered under Sections 325, 351(2)(3), and 190 of the Indian Penal Code. More details regarding the case are awaited.
The demand for AIIMS in Raichur has been persistent, with an indefinite sit-in protest led by the AIIMS Horata Samiti entering its 1,000th day in February 2025, with various organizations supporting the cause.
BJP District President Veeranagouda Patil stated that demands for a city corporation and an airport in Raichur have been fulfilled, urging protesters to collaborate with the Union Minister to ensure AIIMS is allocated to the district.
The police are currently investigating the matter further.