Khanapur police station inspector Manjunath Nayak has been suspended pending an inquiry for allegedly failing to prevent a crowd of over 100 people from gathering at the station during the arrest of BJP MLC C.T. Ravi.
The crowd, led by Khanapur MLA and BJP leader Vithal Halgekar, assembled outside the station, demanding to know why Mr. Ravi, arrested at the Suvarna Soudha, was brought to Khanapur. They also assisted Mr. Ravi in filing a complaint regarding an alleged attack by supporters of Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Mr. Ravi was detained after the Winter Session for making derogatory remarks against Ms. Hebbalkar. Initially held by the Hire Bagewadi police, he was shifted between Nandagad, Khanapur, and Ramdurg police stations before being presented at the Belagavi magistrate court.
The BJP criticized the handling of Mr. Ravi’s arrest, accusing the police of violating established norms and subjecting him to undue physical and mental harassment. Opposition leader R. Ashok alleged mistreatment, while City Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang defended the actions, citing safety concerns due to intelligence reports of angry crowds pursuing Mr. Ravi.
Mr. Halgekar condemned Inspector Nayak’s suspension, calling it a political move rather than an administrative decision. The Khanapur BJP unit has announced a protest on Friday against the suspension.
Inspector Nayak, meanwhile, urged residents to refrain from protests or strikes in his support, expressing confidence in departmental justice. “I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and not resort to protests,” he stated in a social media post.
