R Ramalinga Reddy: Ruling Congress won't shield any lawbreaker

Bengaluru: In a frank admission that could go a long way in demonstrating to the public that the Congress party would not protect anyone who broke the law, home minister R Ramalinga Reddy admitted on Monday that while the assault case in which Mohammad Nalapad Haris, son of party legislator N A Haris was involved, has dented the image of the party as well as the government on the eve of elections to the Legislative Assembly, the government had taken stern action against the accused without showing any lenience. 

A search operation did not yield any weapons in the house of the accused, but police officers would check his Facebook account as Mohammad Nalapad Haris has claimed that he possesses six pistols.  

“I will instruct the commissioner of police to verify the Facebook account of the accused to find out if he owns a pistol”, Mr. Reddy said in response to a question. 

Mr Ramalinga Reddy criticized BJP leaders for accusing the Congress of inaction in this case. He wondered why BJP leaders were silent about Santosh, personal assistant of state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa. Mr. Santosh faces charges of kidnapping and assaulting Vinay, former personal assistant of BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa. Instead of criticizing his act, the BJP has promoted Mr. Santosh as state BJP executive member. Even Mr. Yeddyurappa was not ready to come to the police station to record his statement in the case, citing his old age, but this factor did not stop him from touring the state, he added.  

The home minister alleged that many BJP leaders are involved in cases of attack and murder, but wanted Congress president Rahul Gandhi to comment on episodes involving Mohammad Nalapad Haris and Narayanaswamy. Mr. Rahul Gandhi would definitely speak at the right time, he added.