Shivamogga police have registered a case against Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa and BJP corporator Channabasappa SN for allegedly making inflammatory statements after the murder of Bajarang Dal activist Harsha in February in Shivamogga.

According to Shivamogga Superintendent of Police BM Laxmi Prasad, a case has been registered in response to a local court's order. However, police have claimed that they will not make any arrests, but these leaders must appear in court for a hearing.

After Shivamogga police allegedly refused to register a case against Eshwarappa, whose name appeared in the complaint, Riyaz Ahmed, secretary of the Peace Organization Committee, approached a special court in Bengaluru and filed a case before the court. After admitting the case, the judge asked the police to file charges against the two under IPC sections 153 (A), 295 (A), 504, 505 (2), and 34.

A-23-year old Bajarang Dal activist Harsha was stabbed to death in Shivamogga in February, his murder had sparked unrest in the city and a few incidents of stone-pelting and arson took place, following these incidents, the police had clamped curfew in the city.

Hindu Harsha’s murder had sparked wide-spread protests in other parts of the state also. His murder case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency, and the NIA has already begun a probe into this case.