Central Crime Branch (CCB) had filed a charge-sheet against Youth Congress leader, Mohammad Nalapad Haris, and has recorded the statements of 23 witnesses. These statements recorded are in connection with an incident which occurred on February 17. On February 17th, Nalapad Haris, son of businessman and Congress MLA N.A. Haris, and his associates had badly beaten a man named Vidvat. The confrontation happened when Vidvat’s foot, which was fractured and in a cast, brushed against the leg of Nalapad Haris while entering the Farzi Cafe. Vidvat, who was sitting with his friends, was first threatened and then beaten badly by Nalapad Haris and his 7 associates. Beer bottles and ice buckets were used by Nalapad Haris and his associates to assault Vidvat. It was so severe an assault that Vidvat had to be taken to a hospital for the severe injuries on his body. Nalapad Haris and his associates did not stop even then and followed Vidvat to the hospital where they threatened his brother and left only after the hospital staff intervened. Four of Nalapad Hari’s associates are still on the run while the others have been arrested.
Nalapad Haris had been taken into custody following widespread uproar by Karnataka residents. Haris’s father, Nalapad Ahmed Haris is an MLA from the Shanthinagar constituency of Karnataka. He is a businessman who joined the Congress party and has won two consecutive elections from the Shanthinagar constituency. Even in the recently held Karnataka assembly elections of 2018, there were accusations of cash being distributed by his men. His meteoric rise in terms of power had occurred allegedly due to his close connections with Congress leaders from Karnataka. Nalapad Haris apart from being a Youth Congress leader is also active in the family business. His rise in the political ranks of Congress is owing to the stature of his father, another case of dynasty politics in the making.
Nalapad Haris, according to witnesses, shouted at the victim,“I will show you who I am if you don’t hold my leg and kiss my feet. If you don’t say sorry, then I will kill you here.” The attack on Vidvat was so severe that several café staff and bouncers along with some of Vidvat’s friends had to intervene to save his life.
Abhishek Gowda, son of actor-turned politician M.H. Ambareesh was a witness to the incident and gave his statement. His statement also mentions that Nalapad and his associates had attacked the victim while raising demands for an apology from Vidvat by touching Nalapad’s feet. Son of actor/producer Raghavendra Rajkumar, Guru Rajkumar’s statement also mentions the fact that a brawl between Nalapad and Vidvat had taken place following which Vidvat was taken to the Mallya Hospital.
This incident, which happened in February, did not deter Congress’ decision of giving a ticket to MLA N.A. Haris. Corruption and abuse of power are the least of things which matter to Congress anyways. Many leaders from Congress and their family members have had a tainted background. Nalapad Haris’s case is no different. There is nothing new in Congress candidate having tainted backgrounds. The Congress often encourages this type of activity by giving tickets to such people. The case of Nalapad Haris is an example of how abuse of power is done by popular leaders of Congress.