Karnataka BJP Woman Leader Alleges Assault During Arrest in Hubballi, Police Reject Claims

A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka’s Hubballi after a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) woman leader alleged that she was stripped and assaulted by police personnel during her arrest in connection with a dispute linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.

The incident, which took place under the jurisdiction of the Keshwapur police station, has triggered sharp political reactions after videos purportedly showing the arrest circulated widely on social media platforms. The visuals show the woman activist surrounded by police personnel, including women officers, during the arrest process inside a public transport vehicle.

According to the BJP leader, identified as Sujatha, also known as Vijayalakshmi Handi, the arrest followed tensions between local BJP and Congress workers during the ongoing voter list revision exercise in the Keshwapur Rana area of Hubballi. She has alleged that police personnel used excessive force, assaulted her and subjected her to humiliation during custody.

The arrest was carried out following a complaint filed by a Congress corporator, who accused the BJP activist of illegally bringing Booth Level Officers (BLOs) into the area and facilitating alleged manipulation and deletion of voter names during the SIR process. Acting on the complaint, police took Sujatha into custody.

However, Karnataka Police have firmly rejected the allegations of assault and misconduct. Senior police officials stated that the activist resisted arrest, behaved aggressively with officers and attempted to obstruct official duties, leading to the registration of a counter-complaint against her.

Police officials further confirmed that multiple cases have been registered against the activist, including serious charges, and maintained that all procedures were followed strictly in accordance with the law. Authorities have denied any use of unlawful force and said the woman was clothed at the time she was placed in the police vehicle.

Addressing the controversy, Hubballi Police Commissioner Sashi Kumar said there was significant resistance during the arrest operation and claimed that the allegations of stripping and assault were unfounded. The police asserted that any removal of clothing occurred later and was not the result of police action.

The episode has intensified political tensions in the region, with BJP leaders accusing the state government and police machinery of acting with political bias. Party leaders have described the arrest as excessive and demanded an independent inquiry into the conduct of the officers involved.

On the other hand, police authorities reiterated that law enforcement agencies acted on a formal complaint and that the arrest was carried out to prevent further disturbance to public order during the sensitive voter revision process.

The incident comes at a time when the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has emerged as a politically sensitive issue in Karnataka, with allegations and counter-allegations being exchanged by rival parties over voter verification and deletions.

As of now, investigations into the competing claims are ongoing. No independent judicial inquiry has been announced, and the police have stated that legal proceedings will continue based on the registered cases and available evidence.