Congress MLA's Son, Accused Of Thrashing Man In Bengaluru, Surrenders

Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress lawmaker's son Mohammad Harris Nalapad, who is accused of beating up an injured man at a restaurant on Saturday, has surrendered today. The police said he came to Bengaluru's Cubbon Park police station this morning and surrendered. But in an election year, the opposition parties are not letting this matter go and there were protests outside Cubbon Park police station.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered strict action against Bengaluru legislator NA Harris' son for thrashing a man for placing his injured leg on the table. Nalapad, who is the general secretary of the Youth Congress in Bengaluru district, has also been expelled from the party for six years, Karnataka Congress president G Parameshwara said.

NA Haris had yesterday told reporters, "Whoever does wrong is wrong, be it the son of a MLA or anyone else. I have always advised my son to never do anything wrong. I will see that my son does not do anything like this again."

"I would like to apologise to Vidwath, his parents and the citizens of Bangalore," the MLA said.

Nalapad allegedly walked up to Vidwath, who was having dinner and had placed his bandaged foot on the table at a restaurant in the upscale UB City mall. Nalapad asked him to remove it and "sit properly". Vidwath's refusal led to an argument after which Nalapad and his friends started raining blows on him, eyewitnesses said. His swollen eyes and blood-soaked clothes were evidence of the brutality he faced.

Vidwath was rushed to the Mallya Hospital, where Nalapad and his friends allegedly went, and threatened him against filing a complaint.

A tweet by historian Ramachandra Guha, a resident of Bengaluru, demanding action sparked uproar on social media.

Entrepreneur and Bengaluru resident Mohandas Pai told NDTV, "I appreciate that he was suspended by Dinesh Gundu Rao and that the CM was firm, but he should have surrendered earlier. The law should be applicable to all."

With Karnataka assembly elections in just a few months, the chief minister appears to be steering clear of any trouble that could swing the perception battle in favour of opposition parties.

"Offenders should be punished to the full extent of law regardless of who they are. No less, no more. Police will take action as per law and bring the guilty to book," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

But the BJP isn't in a mood to let go of the opportunity to attack the Congress government. While accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of failing to maintain law and order in the state, Malvika Avinash, BJP spokesperson, said, "This young man is a repeat offender. He was involved in similar incidents in the past. Strict action must be taken against him."