Udupi, 7 June

Police on Sunday said they arrested a 48-year-old man in Karkala for allegedly posting casteist comments and issuing a death threat against Home Minister Priyank Kharge on social media.

The accused, a resident of Nalkeda Betta in Kervashe village near Karkala in Udupi district, was taken into custody on Sunday, police said.

According to the complaint, the incident came to light when a person from Attur Chetanahalli in Nitte village saw a post on the Facebook page “NAMMA KARLA” on 7 June. The post featured a photograph of the Priyank with a caption.

The complainant alleged that the accused had commented on the post on 6 June in an extremely abusive and casteist manner against the Minister.

Police said the comment was made with the intent to promote enmity and hatred between communities.

A case has been registered at Karkala City Police Station under Sections 351(3), 196, and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The accused has been arrested and will be produced before a local court.