Manipal: Praveen Kulal (30), of Varvadi in Pernankila village within the Hiriadka police station limits, has been arrested by the police on Tuesday.
He has been involved in a number of criminal cases registered in different police stations. A detailed report had recently been submitted by Brahmavar circle inspector Arun Nayak, stating that Kulal was creating an atmosphere of fear among the public. He posed a threat to public life, property and peace and therefore requested that he be booked under the Goonda Act.
The report was verified by SP Annamalai and forwarded with a recommendation to the deputy commissioner and district magistrate Dr Vishal.
The DC issued an order of arrest against Kulal under the Goonda Act. Accordingly, the police arrested him.
He has been lodged in the Kalaburagi jail in northern Karnataka.
About the Act:
The Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Gamblers, Goondas (Immoral Traffic Offenders, Slum-grabbers and Video or Pirates) Act 1985 is more commonly known as the Goonda Act.
Recently it was amended to include a new category, that of video and audio pirates, under the Indian Copyright Act 1957 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Enquiries with legal experts and police sources have revealed that the following rules will apply to anyone charged under the Goonda Act.
1. He / she cannot file a bail application for charges in any previous case
2. No one, including his / her lawyers and relatives, can visit him / her in the jail
3. Only the DGP of prisons can permit such a visit
4. He / she cannot question his / her detention under the Act, except through a caveat in the state high court much before invoking of the Act.
