Hubballi, 8 JAN

An FIR has been registered against nine people at the Keshwapur Police Station in Hubballi over the alleged assault and partial disrobing of a woman BJP worker.

The suspects are Hubballi–Dharwad City Corporation Congress Councillor Suvarna Kalakuntla, among others. Charges like attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and rioting have also been invoked.

Based on a complaint by Mariadas, the brother of the BJP worker, Sujatha Handi, the Keshwapur police registered the FIR.

The incident stemmed from a long-standing rivalry between BJP worker Sujatha Handi and Kalakuntla.

Sujatha, who was associated with Kalakuntla, joined the BJP two years ago, after which the animosity grew.

On 5 January, when Sujatha was arrested by the Keshwapur Police, allegations surfaced that women constables had forcibly disrobed her in the police van.

However, the police denied the allegations, stating that the woman had disrobed herself.

Meanwhile, the police detained 21 BJP workers, including Hubballi Mayor Jyoti Patil and Deputy Mayor Santosh Chavan, for protesting in front of the Keshwapur Police Station in Hubballi, demanding the arrest of a Congress Councillor in connection with the alleged assault on a woman BJP worker.