Karnataka: Harsha killed to incite communal trouble, says NIA

BENGALURU: 'Communal vengeance' is said to be the prime motive behind the murder of 28-year-old right-wing activist Harsha alias Harsha Hindu in Shivamogga earlier this year, says the chargesheet filed by the NIA.

Harsha, a Bajrang Dal activist, was stabbed to death by an armed gang on the night of February 20. The case was transferred to NIA on March 23. As many as 10 suspects, all residents of Shivamogga, were arrested and booked under different sections of Indian Penal Code including 302 (murder) and Unlwaful Activities (Prevention) Act-UAPA.

The 300-page chargesheet has statements from 154 witnesses and is supported by 260 documents. The chargesheet says that the accused developed hatred towards Hindus during the CAA-NRC protests, the hijab controversy and cow protection programmes.

The accused conspired to create terror among those in the Hindu community and create disharmony between Hindus and Muslims, the chargesheet said.

Harsha was identified as a prominent leader in the Hindu community. Statements of witnesses, recovery of blood-stained weapons and clothes, CCTV footage from the crime scene, FSL reports, call records established that the accused operated like a terrorist gang and conspired to create communal tension, the chargesheet said.



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