Karnataka: College student assaulted for wearing skull cap, principal denies charges

Bagalkot (Karnataka): The government first grade college principal, who has been accused of assaulting a 19-year-old student Naveed Hasansab Tharathari for wearing a skull cap on February 19, on Tuesday denied that the college staff including him had assaulted the student.

College Principal AS Pujari said, "I did not assault Naveed, but I did ask him to attend classes without wearing a skull cap. And I also tried to educate him about high court orders on dress code, but he was uncompromising.

"I did not have any option, but handed over Naveed to the police as he tried to enter the college forcibly. That day neither he nor any of the staff members of the college assaulted and threatened him."

Pujari had filed a case against Naveed and his father Hasansab Tharathari, a street vendor.

Cases were filed under Indian Penal Code Sections of 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 186 (obstructing any public servant in the discharge of his public functions) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

SP Lokesh Jagalasar said the police had approached Naveed thrice before, but he refused to cooperate with the probe citing health issues.

Later, the student filed a counter-case in the court and his complaint is being probed by DySP Jamkhandi.

Popular Front of India President Asagar Ali said the outfit is giving moral support to Naveed. He alleged that the police did not register a case against the college staff including Pujari that led Naveed to move the court.

Naveed is a first-year arts student at the college. (UNI)