K;taka Dy CM gets anticipatory bail in hate speech

Shimoga: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa was Wednesday granted anticipatory bail by a local court on his petition fearing arrest in connection with an FIR against him for alleged hate speech.

The court relief came on a personal bond of Rs 25,000 and an undertaking that he would follow the Election Code of Conduct for the May 5 Assembly polls strictly without making any inflammatory public speech. The Election Commission had yesterday reprimanded Eshwarappa for violating the Model Code of Conduct in connection with his alleged hate speech and asked him to be cautious in future. Eshwarappa, seeking re-election from Shimoga, has been booked for allegedly inciting communal feelings and promoting hatred and ill-will between different classes in society in a speech on April 9 while campaigning here. Meanwhile, another case was registered against him for violation of model code of conduct by the EC. The case pertains to Eswarappa placing 500 and 1000 rupee notes in the plate during the `aarti` performed by women when he arrived to campaign in Chikkal area yesterday. PTI