Mysuru: Nazarbad Police have submitted a charge-sheet against former ZP President K. Marigowda who is also a close aide of CM Siddharamaiah for intimidating the then DC C. Shikha, on July 3, 2016. Four of his supporters have also been charge-sheeted. The Police investigation team, led by Devaraja Sub-Division ACP Rajashekar, submitted a 45-page charge-sheet against Marigowda, Manjunath, Ananda, Siddaraju and Basavaraju. The charge-sheet was submitted to the Third Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court.

On that day, Marigowda and his supporters had prevented Shikha from entering the Government Guest House when she was on protocol duty to meet the Chief Minister. Marigowda, known for his proximity to the CM, was caught on camera verbally abusing and threatening Shikha in front of Siddharamaiah. He and others had stopped Shikha’s official vehicle on the Guest House premises and questioned her about certain administrative matters. When the officer refused to offer an explanation, the accused allegedly issued threats and used abusive language. Following the incident, Shikha lodged a complaint with Nazarbad Police, who booked the accused under IPC Section 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his/her duty), Section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and IPC Section 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation).

Marigowda, who had been absconding since the incident, was forced to surrender before Nazarbad Police on Aug. 3, 2016, after the Karnataka High Court rejected his bail plea. He had spent 22 days in Judicial custody before obtaining bail.