Hubballi, Karnataka – January 9, 2026
In a show of solidarity and outrage, prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, MLA Mahesh Tenginkai, and local BJP leaders such as the Hubballi-Dharwad Mayor, descended on Hubballi on Friday to protest against what they described as a grave injustice and police brutality in the case of BJP worker Sujatha Handi.
The demonstration, held near the Keshwapur police station, drew hundreds of party supporters and escalated into a high-drama event, with calls for a judicial inquiry, suspension of involved police officers, and even the resignation of the state's Home Minister.
The protest stemmed from allegations by Sujatha Handi, a recent defector from the Congress party to the BJP, who claimed she was stripped, assaulted, and humiliated by police during her arrest on January 7, 2026. Handi, also known as Vijay Lakshmi Handi, was detained in connection with a voter list revision exercise in Hubballi's Keshwapur area.
According to her complaint, she was manhandled inside a police van by female constables, leading to her clothes being torn off, an incident she described as an "affront to women's dignity" in Karnataka. The case has sparked a political firestorm, with the BJP accusing the Congress-led state government of orchestrating the attack to suppress opposition activities.
Handi's arrest followed a complaint filed by a local resident linked to Congress corporator Suvarna Kallakuntla, charging her under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to murder) for allegedly assaulting individuals during a survey related to voter mapping. Viral videos circulating on social media purportedly show Handi in a distressed state inside the police vehicle, fueling the BJP's narrative of police excess.
However, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner denied the allegations, stating that Handi had attacked the constables and removed her own clothes in an attempt to resist arrest. "The woman attacked the woman constables and removed her clothes on her own after getting into the police van," the commissioner clarified in a press statement, adding that an internal inquiry was underway
The Friday protest kicked off in the afternoon, with BJP leaders leading a march through the streets of Hubballi, chanting slogans against the Congress government and demanding justice for Handi. R. Ashoka, addressing the crowd and media, emphasized the need for an independent probe: "We demand justice, and that is why I came to Hubli.
The inspector must be immediately suspended, as he is primarily responsible. If there are cases against the woman, let them proceed legally, but stripping her is unacceptable. This is an insult to all women in Karnataka." Ashoka further called for a judicial inquiry led by a sitting judge to ensure transparency, warning that failure to act would lead to statewide agitations.
MLA Mahesh Tenginkai, a vocal critic of the state government, echoed these sentiments, alleging a Congress conspiracy behind the incident. "When this issue about Handi arose, who was involved with the video release? It was the Congress Party’s supporters and people within the Congress. So, I believe the Congress Party is behind Handi’s targeting," Tenginkai stated during the protest. He also reacted strongly to counter-videos released by Congress leaders showing Handi in an aggressive manner, dismissing them as attempts to deflect blame. "The police must be suspended for their role in this atrocity," he demanded, highlighting what he called a complete failure of law and order in Karnataka under the current regime.
Other key figures in the protest included BJP's Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who described the incident as one that "makes the entire nation hang its head in shame," and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who joined the chorus for accountability. The local BJP mayor and corporators were also present, leading chants and burning tires as a symbol of their fury, though police intervened to douse the flames and prevent escalation. The demonstration briefly turned chaotic when protesters attempted to block roads, but it remained largely peaceful, with no arrests reported during the event.
In response, Congress leaders countered by releasing additional video clips allegedly showing Handi assaulting a man with iron rods, portraying her as a "rowdy" element. KPCC General Secretary Sadananda Danganavar stated, "Today, under the leadership of Altaf Khaloor, we released video clips clearly showing that the woman involved is a BJP party worker... Her actions reflect rowdyism and goondaism. We will meet the Police Commissioner and demand the immediate arrest of those BJP leaders who are backing Sujata Handi." Congress accused the BJP of politicizing the issue to divert attention from Handi's alleged criminal behavior, noting her history of similar incidents.
Handi's family has rallied behind her, alleging mental torture by the police and dismissing the counter-videos as old or manipulated. "The police mentally tortured her sister," a family member claimed in media interactions, while Handi herself has filed a complaint seeking action against the officers involved.
The controversy has broader implications, with the BJP labeling the Siddaramaiah-led government as "anti-Dalit" and "anti-women," especially amid ongoing tensions over voter list revisions in the state. Protests extended to other areas like Mandya, where similar demonstrations demanded the Home Minister's resignation. As of Friday evening, the state government had not announced any formal inquiry, but sources indicate that the police commissionerate is reviewing CCTV footage from the arrest to ascertain the facts.
This incident adds to the growing political polarization in Karnataka ahead of upcoming by-elections, with both parties leveraging it for narrative gains. Further developments are expected as the BJP vows to intensify its campaign if demands are not met.
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