Sampath Raj had escaped from a private hospital where he was admitted for COVID-19 treatment.
Former Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) mayor R Sampath Raj, who was wanted in the Bengaluru violence case on August 11, was arrested, police said Tuesday. Sampath Raj, the Devara Jeevanahalli municipal district congressional corporation, has escaped and was arrested in Bengaluru. He had escaped from a private hospital where he was admitted for COVID-19.
Police recently arrested one of his aides, Riyazuddin, who had helped him and another congressional businessman, Abdul Rakeeb Zakir, escape. He had given them refuge at Nagarhole on Mysuru. Zakir is also wanted in the Bengaluru violence case.
A violent mob launched attacks on the police stations and the residence of MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy on the night of August 11 over an alleged inflammatory post on social media by MLA’s nephew. The post was considered derogatory by Muslims residing in the DJ Halli and KG Halli areas in East Bengaluru.
The violence began after the police did not immediately register an FIR when a complaint was made on the social media post. The violence that began on the night of August 11 was quelled in the early hours of August 12 after police opened fire on the mob, killing 3 people. Later, one more person succumbed to the injuries sustained that day.
More than 160 people accused in the riots are currently facing sections of the anti-terrorism law, the Illicit Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
However, the Central Crime Division (CCB) charge sheet in the investigation of the riots has highlighted that a political rivalry between a former Bengaluru mayor, a former councilor and MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy led to the violence.
The charge sheet prepared by the CCB charged Sampath Raj, former mayor of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) of Congress, his personal assistant Arun, Santhosh car driver Mujaheed Khan, and former Pulakeshinagar councilor Abdul Rakhib Zakir. He stated that a closed group of people including accused members planned an attack on the MLA residence Akhand Srinivasa Murthy calling on Mujahid Khan to instigate members of the Muslim community to turn against the MLA.
Sampath Raj was arrested before being admitted to a hospital for treatment for COVID-19. He subsequently escaped from the hospital on October 30 without informing the police.
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