The Karnataka High Court came down hard on local police Saturday after yet another instance of unlawful detention came to light, this time involving a Facebook post. Justice M. Nagaprasanna didn’t mince words, summoning Deputy Commissioner of Police (Whitefield) Saidulu Adavath to explain why his officers repeatedly curtail personal liberty contrary to the law.

Key facts

  • Petitioner Mohan Gowda was detained over a Facebook post celebrating cancellation of a comedian's show.
  • Police registered a case at 2 a.m. on August 4 and brought him from Udupi the next day.
  • The court found the detention violated procedure and served notice after custody began.
  • Just days prior, the court imposed ₹3 lakh cost on Whitefield police for another illegal arrest.

A Pattern of Overreach

This isn’t the first time Whitefield police have crossed legal boundaries. The court had just days earlier, on August 27, slapped a ₹3 lakh cost on DCP Adavath, an ACP, and an investigation officer for illegally arresting a man in a case stemming from a civil dispute. The repetition clearly troubled Justice Nagaprasanna, who questioned how such actions could occur “right under the nose of the State Police Chief.”

The Facebook Post That Triggered Action

Mohan Gowda of Hindu Rashtra Samanvaya Samithi found himself in police crosshairs after publishing a post celebrating the cancellation of stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s show. He called it “a victory for Hindu unity,” noting his organization had previously petitioned police against the event. Without any formal complaint, Whitefield police registered a case suo motu at 2 a.m. on August 4. By the next day, officers traveled to Udupi—where Gowda had gone—and brought him back to Whitefield in his own car.

Notice Served After Custody Began

In a move the court called “blatant violation,” police served Gowda a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Surakasha Sanhita a few yards from the station—after he was already in their custody. The notice actually gave him three days to appear for questioning, making the detention all the more inexplicable. When DCP Adavath claimed Gowda came voluntarily, the petitioner’s advocate countered that he was “told to face consequences” if he didn’t comply.

“You can’t take the liberty of citizens for granted just because you are in a uniform...,” the High Court orally told the DCP.

Directive for State-Wide Caution

Frustrated by the pattern, the court ordered the Director-General and Inspector General of Police to issue clear guidelines cautioning all ranks that illegal arrests or detentions will invite disciplinary proceedings and exemplary costs. The message is unmistakable: the badge doesn’t grant impunity. For citizens across Karnataka, it’s a reassuring step toward accountability.