13 cases, 10 prior arrests – Srikanth Poojari, picked up for Babri violence, always made bail (The Print)

Poojari, who has been working as an autorickshaw driver for several years, was never arrested for the 1992 violence, an ‘oversight' that has now triggered an inquiry.

January 3, 2024

By ANANYA BHARDWAJ and BISMEE TASKIN

New Delhi: Srikanth Poojari, who was arrested Sunday in connection with a case of rioting on 5 December 1992 in connection with the demolition of the Babri Masjid, has 13 cases including that of bootlegging, gambling, rioting and causing hurt registered against him, ThePrint has learnt.

The 51-year-old Hindutva activist from Karnataka’s Hubballi has been arrested 10 times in the past, the Karnataka Police said, mostly for bootlegging. But he has always managed to secure bail.

He was, however, never arrested in connection with the Babri Masjid demolition violence.

When an accused is arrested in a particular case, police officers have access to their past criminal record, sources said. The police have the power to arrest the same person in previous cases for the purpose of investigation.

Asked why this had not been done despite Poojari being arrested 10 times earlier, Hubballi-Dharwad Commissioner Renuka K. Sukumar said an inquiry into the matter had been initiated.

While five of the cases against Poojari are under the Karnataka Excise Act, three pertain to gambling activities registered under the Karnataka Police Act and four include cases of causing hurt, criminal intimidation and more.

This story was originally published in theprint.in. Read the full story here .