Karnataka: Puneet Kerehalli released over ‘lack of sufficient ground’ for arrest

The case registered against Puneet Kerehalli over his alleged involvement in various criminal cases over the last 10 years under the Goonda Act in August has been deemed void by the State Government. He was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and was stationed in the Parappana Agrahara jail. 

Puneet Kerehalli had challenged his arrest in the Karnataka High Court. In his appeal he stated that his arrest was illegal. 

Puneet Kerehalli is the head of the Rashtra Rakshana Pade, an organisation whose activism is connected to the protection of cows. He was a co-accused in the death of Idrees Pasha, a truck driver. His vehicle which was carrying 16 cows from Mandya was intercepted by Rashtra Rakshana Pade on the fateful night when he was found dead 3 hours later in a field. Puneet and 5 others were arrested from Rajasthan a while later but were granted bail due to the lack of lethal wounds found on Idees Pasha’s body. 

A State Advisory Board was subsequently constituted to verify the validity of the Goonda Act pertaining to the case. The disruption of public order is a key component in deciding cases in which the accused is charged with the Goonda Act. The board has not found sufficient ground for levelling the Goonda Act and has hence quashed it. Punnet Kerehalli was hence released.