Two Arrested For Defacing PM Modi Poster In Karnal, Bail Granted By Court
A political controversy erupted in Karnal, Haryana, after two Congress workers were arrested for defacing posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The incident, which involved spraying black paint on the leaders’ posters, quickly gained traction on social media, prompting swift police action. Both accused, however, were granted bail by a district court on Saturday.
Viral Video Leads to Arrests in Karnal
A video of the incident went viral, showing Youth Congress district president Rajat Lather and his associate Ashok Kumar allegedly applying black paint on a poster of the PM at the Karnal bus stand. Following the video’s circulation, BJP leaders filed a formal police complaint, leading to the arrest of the two Congress leaders.
According to the Karnal police, the defacement took place late on Thursday night. Officers later traced the individuals shown in the video and detained them under multiple legal provisions.
Police Cite Defacement & Public Property Damage Acts
Superintendent of Police Ganga Ram Punia stated:
“Rajat and his accomplice were arrested under sections 352 of BNS, Section 3A of The Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989, and Section 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property 1984.”
The case is expected to draw more political attention as the investigation continues.
Political Reactions: BJP Condemns, Congress Calls Arrest ‘Political’
The act triggered sharp political debate in Haryana. Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand condemned the incident, saying:
“Such behaviour reflects frustration, not democratic dissent.”
He stressed that defacing posters of the PM and CM is disrespectful, warranting legal consequences.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders claimed the police action was “politically motivated.”
Congress urban district president Parag Gaba argued:
“Everyone has their own way of protesting, and our colleagues expressed their protest in their way. But we also respect the law and the Constitution. The issue is not the legal process, but the way these two were arrested — as if they were hardened criminals.”
Defence Questions Legal Grounds
Rajat’s counsel insisted the case was wrongly framed and mishandled, stating:
“The Sections imposed were incorrect, and most importantly, the arrest was made without following due legal procedure. Police had no proper documents, nor did they clearly state the grounds of arrest. The court has seen all of this, which is why both have been granted bail.”
Congress leader Inderpal Singh also criticised the police approach, reiterating that political motives were involved.
Viral Video Leads to Arrests in Karnal
A video of the incident went viral, showing Youth Congress district president Rajat Lather and his associate Ashok Kumar allegedly applying black paint on a poster of the PM at the Karnal bus stand. Following the video’s circulation, BJP leaders filed a formal police complaint, leading to the arrest of the two Congress leaders.
According to the Karnal police, the defacement took place late on Thursday night. Officers later traced the individuals shown in the video and detained them under multiple legal provisions.
Police Cite Defacement & Public Property Damage Acts
Superintendent of Police Ganga Ram Punia stated:
“Rajat and his accomplice were arrested under sections 352 of BNS, Section 3A of The Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989, and Section 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property 1984.”
The case is expected to draw more political attention as the investigation continues.
Political Reactions: BJP Condemns, Congress Calls Arrest ‘Political’
The act triggered sharp political debate in Haryana. Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand condemned the incident, saying:
“Such behaviour reflects frustration, not democratic dissent.”
He stressed that defacing posters of the PM and CM is disrespectful, warranting legal consequences.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders claimed the police action was “politically motivated.”
Congress urban district president Parag Gaba argued:
“Everyone has their own way of protesting, and our colleagues expressed their protest in their way. But we also respect the law and the Constitution. The issue is not the legal process, but the way these two were arrested — as if they were hardened criminals.”
Defence Questions Legal Grounds
Rajat’s counsel insisted the case was wrongly framed and mishandled, stating:
“The Sections imposed were incorrect, and most importantly, the arrest was made without following due legal procedure. Police had no proper documents, nor did they clearly state the grounds of arrest. The court has seen all of this, which is why both have been granted bail.”
Congress leader Inderpal Singh also criticised the police approach, reiterating that political motives were involved.
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