Congress MLA from Hungund Vijayanand Kashappanavar has been named in the FIR
Two constables of the Bangalore police were allegedly assaulted by some people, including a Congress MLA, while the duo was taking photographs of the bar where the group was holding a party beyond its closing hours.
A FIR registered in connection with case has named Congress MLA from Hungund Vijayanand Kashappanavar and others; but the city's top police official claimed that the incident was merely a 'scuffle'.
"According to constables Kiran Kumar and Prashant Naik, at around 1.15 am on Thursday, someone told them that Skyye bar in UB city was still open. When they went there, they found that liquor was still being served to some customers. Our policemen have been instructed not to go inside in such cases; instead, they have been asked to take photographs, based on which a notice is issued to the bar owners later," said Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar.
"The constables were taking photographs on their mobile phones when some members of the group, including one Somashekhar, allegedly tried to snatch them away and there was a scuffle. A case has been registered and an investigation is going on. There was no thrashing, it was only a scuffle," he added.
Mr Kashappanavar has claimed that there was no scuffle and he was merely celebrating his birthday at the bar along with family and friends.
"My wife had thrown a surprise dinner for me. When the police came to the hotel and started taking our photos, I asked them why they were doing so. They said 'we will take photos'; I said, 'okay, take photographs'. I finished my dinner and left. That is all that happened," he said.
But the Congress has already expelled Somashekhar Gowda, who was allegedly part of the group.
State Congress president G Parameshwara told NDTV, "He used to be a member of our party but I have now instructed the party's Bangalore unit to expel him. An inquiry is going on".
While the Opposition BJP has claimed that the matter has diminished the "image of a public representative in the minds of the people," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "Police will take action in accordance with the law."