Suspended Congress Leader On The Run, Arrested

BENGALUR: Suspended Congress leader Rajeev Gowda, who was on the run for nearly 11 days, was arrested by Chikkaballapura police on Monday while he was on his way to Kerala via Mangaluru. Action was taken against him following a complaint by City Municipal Council commissioner Sidlaghatta Amrutha, who accused him of harassing and intimidating her in a mobile phone conversation.

The audio conversation between Rajeev Gowda and Amrutha went viral on the internet, following which the commissioner filed a complaint. The Congress initiated disciplinary proceedings against Rajeev Gowda and suspended him.

While the police issued a lookout notice against Rajeev Gowda, his bail was rejected by the Supreme Court. The controversy broke out when CMC personnel removed a banner featuring Rajeev Gowda, which was obstructing the free movement of traffic.

Rajeev Gowda allegedly harassed Amrutha during the mobile phone call and threatened to set fire to the CMC office. Police said Gowda was traveling in a car belonging to his businessman friend.