DHARWAD: A murder and rape accused from Dharwad , who was accorded a grand reception by his aides on Friday after he came out of jail on bail, was taken into custody once again: this time for causing nuisance and disturbing peace.The supporters of local businessman Maktum So lgad, who is an accused in two cases of murder, kidnap and rape, had organised a rousing welcome for him. A huge rally with bikes, fire crackers and garlands starting from the jail premises was organised with So lgad waving at the puzzled public, who wondered who the ‘VIP’ was.
Dharwad police said no permission was sought to take out the rally and that it had caused gridlock on many roads. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner M N Nagaraj said a case will be registered under IPC Section 107 for disturbing peace. “I have also instructed the police officials to put an appeal in the court to cancel his bail,” he added. So lgad was jailed in June this year after he was found guilty in two cases — a murder case reported at Lakshmi Nagar in Dharwad in March and a kidnap and rape of a minor in Hubballi in June. Soon after he was convicted, he tried to get bail in the lower court, but his plea was rejected. Later, he approached the High Court and succeeded.
So lgad also had a brief stint in politics. He had joined JD(S) a few years ago in Dharwad but was expelled after his arrest.Solgad’s acquaintances claimed he was targeted as he was gaining popularity as a politician. “We know he has not committed any crime and will come out clean,” a friend said.