Bus conductor attacked over argument with passenger

Belagavi: An altercation between a bus conductor and a passenger in Balekundri village in Belagavi on Friday has sparked protests and counter-legal action.

While four individuals have been arrested for attacking the conductor, a counter-case has been filed against him under the POCSO Act, alleging inappropriate behavior with a minor passenger.

It is alleged that the conductor was assaulted by a group after he told a passenger that he did not know Marathi. The other side claims that the conductor engaged in inappropriate behavior with a minor.

With the incident reportedly triggered by a language dispute, pro-Kannada organizations staged protests demanding the immediate withdrawal of the case against the conductor.

Belagavi City Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang told reporters that a case has been registered at Marihal police station regarding the attack on the conductor, and four individuals arrested.

Three special teams have been formed to track down the remaining accused. Meanwhile, an investigation into the allegations against the conductor is underway, with statements from other passengers being recorded.

The possibility of false allegations is also being probed.

Condemning the case against the conductor, members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Narayan Gowda faction) staged a protest at Ashoka Circle near the fort in Belagavi on Saturday. District president Deepak Gudaganatti alleged that political pressure had led to a false case against the conductor to divert attention from the real issue. Protesters demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case and action against police officers who registered it under alleged political influence. They also criticized the silence of elected representatives over the attack on the conductor and warned of intensified agitation, including a march to Marihal police station.

Meanwhi, members of the Kittur Karnataka Sena, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (shivaram Protesters also burned an effect of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti.