Belagavi, 23 October

Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) leaders Shubham Shelke and Manohar Hundri have been arrested by Khadebazar police in connection with an atrocity case and remanded in judicial custody till 4 November, police said.

The two leaders were produced before a court following their arrest and later shifted to Hindalga Central Prison.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Raju Talawar, who alleged that Shelke and Hundri had used abusive language during an MES meeting held in January 2025. Police arrested them after they allegedly failed to appear for an inquiry despite being issued notices.

However, Shelke claimed that no notice was served and alleged that the action was aimed at preventing the MES from holding its proposed ‘Black Day’ observance on Karnataka Rajyotsava day celebrated on 1 November.

Shelke also alleged that the Marathi-speaking community was being harassed and its agitation obstructed with an eye on elections. He said the movement would continue despite his arrest.