Congress MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar welcomed former minister Vinay Kulkarni, who walked out of Hindalga prison in Belagavi on August 21 after securing bail. CBI has charged the Congress leader of plotting and causing the murder of a former zilla panchayat member.
“I have come to see my brother,” said Ms. Hebbalkar who tied a rakhi on Mr. Kulkarni’s wrist, put a tilak on his forehead and offered a sweet.
She said that she had come to meet him, as she considers him among her brothers and wanted to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with him.
She told journalists that she believed that the charges against Mr. Kulkarni are false and that he would be cleared of all charges.
Former minister Vinay Kulkarni and Congress MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar offer prayers at a Ganesh temple near Hindalga prison in Belagavi on August 21, 2021.
Mr. Kulkarni said that he had learnt many lessons in jail. “I have picked up some lessons of life. I have also developed the habit of reading,” he said.
Fresh case
Belagavi police filed cases against Vinay Kulkarni and some of his followers for violating COVID-19 protocol and violating norms of weekend lockdown.
Crowd greeting former minister Vinay Kulkarni on his release from Hindalga prison in Belagavi on August 21, 2021.
A huge crowd of his followers had gathered in front of Hindalga jail to welcome the former minister. They did not follow social distancing norms or wear masks.
"They violated both the guidelines despite advice by prison and police officers. A suo motu case has been registered," Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikram Amathe told The Hindu .
