Belagavi, Oct 4: Tension continued to simmer in Karnataka’s Belagavi city on Saturday following a stone-pelting incident linked to the raising of ‘I Love Muhammad’ slogans.

Police have detained 11 persons and made tight security arrangements across Belagavi city.

The Police Department is on high alert as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit the city on Saturday.

According to police, the stone-pelting incident occurred on Friday evening during the ‘Urs’ procession. While the procession was underway, “I Love Muhammad” slogans were raised. When objections were raised, the mob resorted to stone pelting near the Khadak Galli area.

The police also stated that they have obtained video evidence showing youths chanting ‘I Love Muhammad’ slogans and engaging in violence.

The Police further said that the group changed the procession route without permission.

Khade Bazar Police have detained 11 people in connection with the incident and are questioning them. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

Security has been tightened since Friday night, with police patrolling throughout the night, the police said.

A platoon of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) has been deployed in the Khade Bazar area. Police have indicated that more persons will be taken into custody in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, Hindutva activists have put up ‘Har Har Mahadev’ banners in Belagavi city. Taking the situation seriously, police are maintaining a strict vigil.

In another development, an ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner installed at Aland in Kalaburagi district was removed by jurisdictional police on Saturday.

The banner had been put up as part of the Laadle Mashak Dargah urs programme. After receiving information, police rushed to the spot and cleared the banner.

An investigation is ongoing.

Earlier, two groups clashed over an ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster in Davanagere city, further fueling tensions.

Chennai, Oct 4: The Tamil Nadu Police have intensified efforts to trace and arrest N. Satish Kumar, Namakkal district secretary of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), after he went missing following the dismissal of his anticipatory bail petition, officials said on Saturday.

Two special squads have been formed under the supervision of Inspector Kabilan to locate the absconding TVK functionary, according to official sources.

The action comes after the Madras High Court on Friday denied anticipatory bail to Satish Kumar in connection with a case registered for allegedly attacking a private hospital in Namakkal.

The incident reportedly occurred when TVK leader Vijay was campaigning in the district ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled to be held next year.

Satish Kumar approached the court seeking protection from arrest.

During the hearing, his counsel, advocate A. Murugavel, said that his client was being falsely implicated for political reasons.

“The petitioner has not committed any crime. The case was filed solely because he happened to be present at the location when the incident took place,” Murugavel added.

However, the prosecution strongly opposed the plea, presenting details of damages caused during the unrest.

Police counsel said that TVK cadres had damaged hospital property worth Rs 5 lakh during the incident.

They also said that eight other criminal cases were already pending against Satish Kumar, including charges related to public property destruction.

The police also submitted photographic evidence from the spot to substantiate their claims.

After examining the images, Justice N. Senthilkumar said that as a district-level TVK leader, Satish Kumar, could not disown responsibility for the violent actions of his cadre.

“If party members were engaged in such acts, how can the petitioner claim ignorance? Shouldn’t he have exercised control over them?” the judge remarked before rejecting the anticipatory bail plea.

With the court’s decision, the Namakkal police have stepped up operations to track down Satish Kumar, who has reportedly been untraceable since the judgment.

Officers said that both squads are actively following leads and scanning possible hideouts.

The move is seen as part of a broader crackdown on political violence and property damage during election campaigns.

Authorities indicated that if Satish Kumar fails to surrender, further legal steps, including issuing a lookout notice, could follow.

The police have appealed to the people to share information on his whereabouts confidentially.

In a shocking case from Mumbai, an 18-year-old girl, found to be eight months pregnant during a medical examination at Cama Hospital, initially gave a false statement to police to protect her boyfriend. The matter came to light after doctors, suspecting she was underage, informed the police, prompting an investigation.

According to the initial report, the victim claimed that while on a trip to Matheran with friends, she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man. She alleged that the man, despite knowing she was underage, forced himself on her at a lodge. Based on this account, the Matheran Police began investigating the case.

The investigation took a turn when police interrogated the victim’s close friend. The friend confirmed that she and another friend had gone to Matheran in July, but the victim had not accompanied them. This directly contradicted the victim’s earlier story.

Confronted with this evidence, the victim admitted in a supplementary statement recorded on September 25 that her initial account was fabricated.

The victim revealed that her 17-year-old boyfriend was responsible for her pregnancy. She stated that he repeatedly engaged in sexual relations with her when she was still a minor, around January or February 2024, at his maternal uncle’s residence.

Based on the revised statements and corroboration from her friends, investigators established that the offence occurred within the jurisdiction of the Wadala TT Police Station. Consequently, the Matheran Police have officially transferred the case to Wadala TT Police for further investigation. The 17-year-old boyfriend has been booked under relevant sections, and further inquiries are underway.