Bangalore: Right wing activist-cum-columnist V R Bhat was arrested on Saturday for posting objectionable comments on a social media site against a woman activist recently.
The police arrested him around 10.45 am near his house in Nandini Layout. He will be produced before the First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Sunday morning, said the police.
In a complaint, State secretary of Janavignana Samiti, Prabha N Belamangala, alleged that in response to her status, Bhat replied sharply and said heads of women like her should be crushed against walls, besides burning their bodies.?He also posted a comment saying society would better only if women like her are raped, she added in the complaint, and sought stern action against him.
Bhat told the police that a few people, including Prabha, issued objectionable statements about the Hindu religion. He tendered unconditional apology more than 10 times after the incident, he claimed.
The police booked Bhat under IPC Sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (criminal intimidation), 354 A (sexual harassment), 354 D?(stalking) and 109 (abetment) and 66 A of IT?Act (sending offensive messages through communication service).
On July 27, Prabha posted a status about scientific research, scientific thought process and culture of hard work to initiate a healthy debate. Bhat reacted sharply and posted a comment saying faces of women activists should be burnt.?They should be raped so that things fall in place. He deleted the comment after receiving sharp criticism from women activists.
Prabha claimed that Bhat indulged in criminal act, justified the act of rape and issued life threats. Journalist Gauri Lankesh also lodged a complaint on Friday with Basavanagudi police seeking action against Bhat.?He had posted an objectionable message on Gauri’s Facebook account against a particular community.
