A file image of Mahesh Shetty Thimarody
| Photo Credit: MANJUNATH H.S.
A court in Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada district has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody for his failure to appear before the court in a case registered against him for his alleged inflammatory speech.
The Principal Civil Judge and JMFC, Belthangady, on December 24, rejected the application filed by Thimarody’s counsel seeking exemption from appearance. Observing that no grounds were made for his absence, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against Thimarody.
The Belthangady police had registered a suo motu case against Thimarody, accusing him of making an inflammatory speech at the Hindu Samaja Rakshana programme at Mahamayi Marigudi premises in Bedrabettu of Belthangady taluk on February 8, 2025. It was alleged that his speech created doubts about Dharmasthala and other Hindu temples. He was also accused of hurting religious sentiments and disturbing peace by creating discord among communities.
The Belthangady police investigated the case and filed the chargesheet on December 17.
It also may be noted that the Special Investigation Team, which is probing the alleged mass burial of bodies in Dharmasthala village, has filed a complaint report before Belthangady court accusing Chinnaiah, Thimarody, Girish Mattennnavar, T. Jayanth, Vittala Gowda and Sujatha Bhat of perjury and other criminal offences.
The Assistant Commissioner, Puttur, recently issued orders for externing Thimarody, who is accused in 22 criminal cases, from Dakshina Kannada to Manvi in Raichur district.
Published – December 30, 2025 05:47 pm IST