Mangaluru: Activist Mahesh Shetty Timarodi was taken into custody by Udupi district police on Thursday in connection with a case registered against him for allegedly making derogatory remarks on social media against BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B. L. Santosh. The case was registered at Brahmavar police station under Sections 196(1), 352 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following a complaint lodged by Rajeev Kulal, president of the Udupi Rural BJP unit. Kulal alleged that Timarodi had used abusive language against Santosh and a Hindu religious leader, and had made comments capable of provoking enmity between communities. Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar told reporters that taking Timarodi into custody was necessitated as the offence was non-bailable, he had failed to appear before police despite being served two notices, and he is considered a repeat offender. The second notice had directed Timarodi to present himself before Brahmavar police by Wednesday evening. As he did not comply, a police team moved in on Thursday morning to secure his custody. On Thursday morning, a police team reached Timarodi’s residence in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. As the police arrived, his supporters raised slogans in support of him and demanding justice in the Soujanya case, in which Timarodi has been a prominent campaigner. Speaking to reporters before being taken away, Timarodi said: “I will give my statement at the police station. We will surely get justice in Soujanya’s case. If anything happens to me, the State government and BJP will be responsible.” As he was escorted by police, his supporters shouted slogans such as “Justice for Soujanya” and “Timarodi ki jai.” Timarodi himself joined in, chanting “Sanatana Hindu Dharmakke” and “Bolo Bharat Mata ki jai.”
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