Harsha murder accused charged under UAPA

Progress has been made in the brutal murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha when Karnataka Police filed charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention (UAPA) Act, 1967 against Mohammad Qasif (Kasif), Syed Nadeem, Rihan Sharief, Asif Ullah Khan, Abdul Afnan, Nihan, Faraz Pasha, Abdul Khadar Jilan, Abdul Roshan and Jafar Sadiq. 

Harsha who was only 26 years was brutally hacked to death near Kamat Petrol Pump on NT Road in Shivamogga, Karnataka on February 20 because of a Facebook post over the hijab controversy.

The UAPA is only invoked when a case has angels pertaining to national security and the Karnataka police are have a strong suspicion of a larger conspiracy behind the murder” and that is why it has decided to charge those arrested under the UAPA.

There is even a possibility after a local police investigation is completed, the state government may turn the case over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that looks into the broader spectrum.

Harsha was a tailor by occupation and hailed from Seegehatti and was a proud member of Bajrang Dal, and he proudly displayed his saffron shawl to demand uniformity in the dress code in schools and colleges.

A friend of Harsha who requested anonymity and also happens to be a Bajrang Dal activist said, Harsha was under surveillance by his assailants for a few weeks and the murder was a “well-planned plot”. 

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.