Gujarat High Court allows videography of BJP councillor Nisha Kariya's husband

Junagadh municipal councillor Nisha Kariya had filed a plea in high court alleging harassment and threats to her and her husband by the local police

The Gujarat High Court has ordered round-the-clock videography of a BJP councillor’s husband in Junagadh. This was in response to her application alleging she and her husband were being harassed and threatened by the local police.

BJP’s municipal councillor Nisha Kariya had won a by-poll of Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC) last year. Her husband, Dhiren Kariya, has been facing 37 criminal cases, most of them for his alleged involvement in bootlegging activities. The ticket given to Kariya by the ruling party had also created furore in the political fraternity after looking at the credentials of her husband.

In her application filed on behalf of her husband, the councillor had submitted that her husband’s life was in danger. She also has been unnecessarily called at the police station and also threatened, she stated in her plea.

His lawyer, Jagdish Satapara, said, “Dhiren Kariya is in jail and police may take his custody for other offences. Earlier this month when in custody, the police had taken his nude photographs and demanded ransom from him. So we have demanded round-the-clock videography for his protection.”

Earlier on May 10, the local court had also inquired against the police over allegations levelled by Kariya. In the application before the magistrate, Kariya had complained that the police inspector of the crime branch had switched off CCTV cameras at the police station and called him inside his chamber. Then the police had ordered him to take off his clothes and took nude pictures. Then the inspector made a video call to the Superintendent of Police of Junagadh and he allegedly demanded ransom.

“Considering the peculiar facts of the present case, it is directed that the police authorities shall provide a videographer to the applicant at the cost of the applicant and videography of the applicant should be made continuously,” the order issued by Justice AC Rao stated. It further said, “A copy of such video recorded, shall be provided to the applicant and to the court also at the cost of the applicant.”

“This is a pressure tactic being adopted by the accused as the police department has taken strict action against him and sent him to Surat jail under PASA. He is facing 37 criminal cases and is in the list of 25 bootleggers declared by the state police,” said RC Kanamiya, police inspector of Junagadh Local Crime Branch (LCB).

“The allegations levelled by him against the police of clicking his nude photos and demanding ransom is baseless and meant to lower the morale of the department,” the PI said.