Udupi, August 23, 2025 – The Udupi Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Nagesh, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, ordered social activist Mahesh Shetty Timarodi to be taken into police custody for two hours for interrogation in connection with a defamation case. The case stems from alleged derogatory remarks made by Timarodi against BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh, as reported by Brahmavar police.

Following a petition by the Brahmavar police requesting custody for questioning, Judge Nagesh directed that Timarodi be produced in court within one hour. Accordingly, Timarodi, who was lodged in Hiriyadka Jail, was brought to the Udupi court under heavy police security around 1:30 PM. After the hearing, the court granted two hours of police custody for interrogation, ordering his return to court by 3:40 PM. The police then took Timarodi for questioning as per the court’s directive.

The case, registered under Sections 196(1), 352, and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following a complaint by Rajeev Kulal, president of Udupi Rural BJP Mandal, alleges that Timarodi used abusive language against Santosh on social media, potentially inciting communal enmity. Timarodi’s bail plea hearing, which took place on the same day, was adjourned to 3:00 PM after the prosecution sought time to file objections.