Bengaluru Police have filed an FIR against “unknown” persons based on a complaint filed by IAS officer V. Yashavantha who was allegedly manhandled by supporters of Bommanahalli MLA Satish Reddy. The case was filed against 50-60 people under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duties) 504 (intentional insult to provoke) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code.
Yashavantha, the in-charge of Bommanahalli zone war room, had filed a complaint at HSR Layout Police Station alleging he, along with a BBMP joint commissioner, was manhandled by a group of people on April 30. He didn’t mention any names in the complaint.
However, a video clip that has been circulated on social media showed Reddy was part of the group that trooped into the war room, demanding allotment of bed. The officers refused their demands, leading to a scuffle.
In the video, a woman, who is reportedly an aide of Reddy, could be seen pushing back the officer in a corridor where the crowd could be heard accusing the BBMP of not providing enough beds for Bommanahalli zone.
On May 4, Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, along with Reddy and Basavanagudi MLA Ravi Subramanya, claimed to have exposed a bed blocking scam in Bengaluru and doubted the involvement of a few Muslims, who were deployed at the COVID War Room of the BBMP.
As the expose went live on Tuesday and Surya read out their names, Subramanya screamed at the BBMP officials, "Have you appointed these people for Madrassa or the Corporation (BBMP)?"
To this, Reddy was seen saying there was an intention behind hiring them and these people were behind it.
The opposition Congress have demanded the arrest of Surya and Reddy, alleging they were behind the scam involving blocking of hospital beds meant for COVID patients in the city.
