Karnataka's sedition-charged police strike leader gets conditional bail

President of Karnataka's Police Mahasangh, Shashidhar, was finally granted conditional bail two and half months after he was arrested on sedition charges for organising a mass protest of police constables on June 4.

The single bench of the Karnataka High Court sanctioned bail on the condition that Shashidhar must produce two guarantors and sign a bond of ₹50,000.

Shashidhar was booked under sedition charges for instigating the police to protest against the administration. He was arrested from his residence at midnight, June 3, and his mobile phone, laptop and other documents were confiscated by the police.

Additional advocate general Ponnanna argued against High Court's decision to grant bail. He claimed that Shashidhar has been misleading the police force and has not been cooperating with the investigation.

The bench asked Ponnanna, "How can a single man destroy the entire police force?" However, the bench has ordered Shashidhar to cooperate with the investigation.

As per the bail order, Shashidhar cannot leave Bengaluru without the permission of the court. The court has also ordered him to stay away from any convention involving police welfare. Shashidhar cannot be a part of police activities either.

In this massive case, the city crime branch (CCB) has named 102 persons, including Shashidhar and a few policemen. The crime branch has included names of police personnel who had applied for leave, those who shared Shashidhar's message through WhatsApp and also those who discussed the protest in WhatsApp groups.

The CCB will submit a charge sheet within a week.

• shashidhar
• police protest