‘Thimarody had no permission to possess swords and airgun’

‘Thimarody was a ‘rowdy-sheeter’ and was accused in 24 criminal cases, including cases of assault and hate speech.’

| Photo Credit: UMESH S. SHETTIGAR

The Principal District and Sessions Judge of Dakshina Kannada Basavaraj posted to October 9 for orders on the anticipatory bail application filed by activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, in a case registered against him under the Arms Act.Following the statement by Chinnaiah before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that he gave a false complaint of mass burial of bodies in Dharmasthala at the behest of activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody and others, the SIT took Chinnaiah and carried out a search at the house of Thimarody on August 26 and seized 44 articles, which included a 25.5-inch-long iron sword, a 20.5-inch-long iron sword, and a 0.22-calibre 5.5 mm airgun.On the complaint by SIT Chief Investigation Officer C.A. Simon, the Belthangady Police on September 16 registered a case against Thimarody for offences under Sections 25(1), 25(1-a) and 25(1-B)(a) of the Arms Act. Since September 19, Thimarody has been at large since the issuance of two notices by the investigation officer, asking him to explain about the offences. He filed an application under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksah Sanita on September 23 before the court seeking anticipatory bail.In her arguments opposing the application on Saturday, Principal Public Prosecutor Judith O.M. Crasta said Thimarody has no permission from the District Magistrate, as per the Arms Rules, to possess the two long swords and the airgun of 0.22 calibre. He is yet to appear before the investigation officer and explain why the swords and airgun were in his possession.The police was empowered to register an FIR for unauthorised possession of arms.She stated Thimarody was a ‘rowdy-sheeter’ and was accused in 24 criminal cases, including cases of assault and hate speech. As he continued to involve in acts causing unrest in the society, the district administration passed an order to extern him to Raichur district. Such a person should not be granted anticipatory bail, Ms. Crasta said.In defence, Thimarody’s counsel Dinesh Hegde Ullepady said Thimarody fears of arrest that prevented him from appearing before the investigation officer and explain about the arms seized by the SIT.Thimarody has so far been acquitted in 13 criminal cases. Thimarody was not carrying the arms that were seized by the SIT, Mr. Ullepady said. Published - October 04, 2025 10:17 pm IST