Congress expels Karnataka MLA’s son and youth leader for 6 years for assaulting man

The Congress on Sunday expelled youth leader and MLA NA Haris’ son, Mohammed Haris Nalapad, for six years after reports emerged that he assaulted a person in a pub. Nalapad was the general secretary of the Youth Congress in Bengaluru.

Nalapad allegedly assaulted the person at the pub on Vittal Mallya road around 11.30pm on Saturday, police said. Police identified the assault victim as Vidwath.

The victim’s friend, Praveen, who was with him at the pub, said, “Nalapad walked into the pub and took offence to the way Vidwath was sitting with his leg stretched out. Vidwath told him he was sitting so because his leg was fractured.”

According to Praveen, Nalapad was not convinced and had a heated exchange with Vidwath. “A while later, a bunch of people came and beat up Vidwath,” said Praveen.

The pub is under Shantinagar assembly constituency limits. Nalapad’s father is the MLA from Shantinagar constituency.

Praveen alleged that the pub management did not come to their aid and he had to rush a bleeding Vidwath to Mallya Hospital, where he is being treated.

Based on Praveen’s complaint, Cubbon Park police registered a case against Nalapad and 10 others under sections 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 147 (rioting) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. “We are looking for Nalapad and the other accused,” said an officer of Cubbon Park police station who asked not to be named.

“We are also looking into the allegation that Nalapad went to the hospital late at night to threaten Vidwath and prevent him from filing a complaint with the police,” added the police officer.

MLA Haris could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts. News agency ANI quoted him as saying, “I don’t know where he (Nalapad) iscurrently. Whoever does wrong is wrong, be it the son of an MLA or anyone else. I have always advised my son to never do anything wrong. I will see that my son does not do anything like this again.”

State Congress president G Parameshwara said the party would not tolerate such incidents. He tweeted that “the victim will be served justice”.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah, too, said the guilty would be brought to book.

Offenders should be punished to the full extent of law regardless of who they are. No less, no more.@CPBlr will take action as per law and bring the guilty to book. https://t.co/H0Km8zauVz

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 18, 2018

Karnataka is headed for election this year and politics heated up around the assault.

Former CM and state BJP president BS Yeddyurappa tweeted, “I am appalled at & strongly condemn the ghastly attack by MLA NA Harris son on innocent Vidwath. @CPBlr Police must arrest the culprit & his goons to restore public confidence in rule of law. Congress MLA must counsel his absconding son to surrender.”

Former CM and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy said, “I call upon the government to punish the son of the MLA because it is unacceptable when such people attack the general public.”