Karnataka HC Halts Second FIR Against Actor Upendra For ‘Anti-Dalit’ Remark

The High Court of Karnataka has recently granted an interim stay on the 2nd FIR lodged against Kannada actor and director BM Upendrakumar, popularly known as Upendra.

Earlier, the high court granted a stay on the first FIR against Upendra at the Chennammanakere Achchukattu police station.

Justice Hemanth Chandanagoudar, heard the petition lodged by Upendra, and stated that the invocation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the petitioner is noteworthy due to the absence of specific attribution of charges under the Act to any particular individual.

In addition, the court considered that the actor had merely expressed saying during the course of a talk.

Upendra has faced scrutiny for his utterance, “Oorendare Holageri Irutte,” (“Where there is a village, there will be a colony of Holeyas” a reference to a Dalit community).

Upendra was interacting with fans to celebrate the 6th anniversary of his political party, Uttama Prajaakeeya Party, on Facebook on August 12 when he made the statement.

The first complaint against Upendra was submitted to the Chennammanakere Achchukattu police station by Madhusudan KN, an Assistant Director within the Social Welfare Department.

Therefore, the FIR was lodged under Section 3(1)(r)(s) of the Act. Subsequently, the second FIR was registered at the Halasuru Gate Police station on August 13, subsequent to a complaint from Bharat Harishkumar, the president of the Karnataka Ranadheera Pade.

While granting the interim stay, the HC stated that both petitions filed by Upendra in respect of the 2 FIRs will be heard together.

The court then adjourned the hearing.