Karnataka BJP MLA Harish Poonja has found himself entangled in a legal matter as an FIR (First Information Report) has been filed against him due to allegations of verbally abusing a government forest official while discussing a case of land encroachment.
CB Ryshyanth, the Superintendent of Police in Dakshina Kannada, has confirmed the registration of this case, stating, "An FIR has been filed against MLA Harish Poonja in connection with a land encroachment case."
This matter was brought to public attention on October 13, when a forest official named Jayaprakash lodged a formal complaint. In his written complaint, Jayaprakash detailed that an individual named Lolaksh Gowda had encroached upon forest land, proceeding to lay the foundation for a building within the restricted forest zone located in Belthangady Taluk, Karnataka.
The forest authorities, objecting to this encroachment, denied permission for the construction, asserting that the land legally belonged to the forest and therefore could not be utilized for building purposes.
In response to this dispute, MLA Harish Poonja engaged in a discussion with the forest officials on behalf of Lolaksh Gowda. Regrettably, the conversation escalated into a heated argument, and it is alleged that during this exchange, the MLA resorted to using offensive language directed at the forest officer, Jayaprakash.
The registered FIR encompasses Sections 143, 353 (pertaining to Assault or criminal force intended to deter a public servant from the discharge of their official duties), 504, and 149.
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