OneIndia Excusive: Bajrang Dal activist claims innocence in Tipu Sultan row

Infamous Tipu Clash in the communally infuriated Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka has no doubt smashed the career of young Bajrang Dal activist Bhuvith Shetty after he mistakenly stabbed a Hindu man confusing to a Muslim in Manihalla at B C Road.

In an exclusive talk with OneIndia at Mangaluru Prison, Bhuvith Shetty alleges conspiracy claiming he has not admitted to crime occurred at Manihalla with the police and he has been falsely booked by the Mangaluru police.

However the BJP sources say, it was an unfortunate incident and "yes it was a case of mistaken identity."

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

"We were carrying weapons like tough canes and machetes (Talwars) after we learnt that SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) unlawfully convening a protest rally in support of Tipu Anniversary Celebration in front of Taluk office at B C Road," Bhuvith revealed further disclosing that they wanted to impose melee kind of situation carrying out violent spree."

Bhuvith says he was at B C Road while the SDPI kicked off demonstration stunt in the already tensed locality. As one of the leaders of SDPI took to stage unleashing provocative speech, "we came out of the car, Omni- with canes in hand beginning to thrash SDPI members".

At the same time, Harish Poojary (allegedly stabbed to death by Bhuvith and team) was also murdered in Manihalla. "How a same person can put appearance in two different spots at the same time? Bhuvith questioned the logic.

Besides, the police informed the press that accused has admitted to the crime and it was a classic case of mistaken identity. "I have not confessed to the crime," Shetty claimed.

The car and weapons were seized by the police from B C Road where mayhem unfolded. "But we (Achyuta and Bhuvith) were instructed by a few Bajrang Dal leaders on the direction of police department to surrender to the police at Kalladka. We performed the same"

Bhuvith alleges conspiracy

Post arrest, situation worsened as the police lodged a false case. "It was a blatant conspiracy by the police but I can't cast aspersion at this time who is behind orchestrating this scene."

According to police, accused stabbed Harish Poojary to death confusing him with a Muslim man, Samiulla. "Samiulla's statement in newspapers said- he ran helter-skelter saying Bajrang Dal people are coming, run, run......" If he had said that how one could miss the actual target, Shetty argued reiterating "we involved in communal violence took part in front of Taluk office but not in the alleged murder.

Bhuvith admitted to crime

The BJP chose meticulous route in dealing with this case politically. A reliable sources in the BJP informed that it was a case of mistaken identity and an unfortunate incident.

The BJP gradually toned down political voice as it genuinely learnt facts in connection to the sensitive case. The incident should not have occurred, sources opined.