Mangaluru: In a significant development concerning the case booked by the Police for making insulting and damaging comments against senior BJP leader B.L. Santosh, the Belthangady Police in Dakshina Kannada district have booked three persons, including former PSI Girish Mattannavar on charges of obstructing the Police in carrying out their duty.

Udupi BJP leaders had lodged a complaint at Brahmavara Police Station accusing activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody of making defamatory remarks against BJP leader B.L. Santosh. Subsequently, the Police issued notice to Thimarody 2 times asking him to attend inquiry. But as Thimarody failed to appear for inquiry, the Police issued a third notice asking him to attend inquiry on Thursday.

As Thimarody failed to appear at the Police Station, the Police went to his house at Belthangady to take him into custody, when Girish Mattananvar and a few others tried to prevent the Police from taking Thimarody into custody.

Following a complaint by Brahmavar PSI, the Belthangady Police registered a case against Girish Mattannavar and two others on charges of obstructing Police duty, it is learnt.