2 held for defacing PM Modi, CM Saini’s posters in Karnal; bail granted by district court

The Karnal police have arrested two persons, including Youth Congress district president Rajat Lather and his associate Ashok Kumar for allegedly spraying black paint on the poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. However, a district court granted them bail on Saturday.

The incident went viral on social media after a video surfaced showing the duo applying black ink on the PM’s poster pasted at Karnal bus stand. Following this, BJP leaders filed a police complaint, leading to the arrest of both Congress workers.

As per the police, the incident took place late Thursday night when the two were reportedly seen defacing the poster installed at a public place. A complaint was subsequently filed, after which the police traced the accused and took them into custody.

“Rajat and his accomplice were arrested under sections 352 of BNS, Section 3A of The Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989, and Section 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property 1984,” said Ganga Ram Punia, Superintendent of Police.

The act triggered a sharp political reaction. Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand condemned the incident, saying that such behaviour “reflects frustration, not democratic dissent.” He maintained that defacing the PM and CM’s poster was an unacceptable act of disrespect, and legal action will be taken.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders claimed the arrests were “politically motivated”. “Everyone has their own way of protesting, and our colleagues expressed their protest in their way. But we also respect the law and the Constitution. The issue is not the legal process, but the way these two were arrested — as if they were hardened criminals,” said Parag Gaba, Congress urban district president.

Rajat’s counsel said that the case itself was wrongly framed. “The Sections imposed were incorrect, and most importantly, the arrest was made without following due legal procedure. Police had no proper documents, nor did they clearly state the grounds of arrest. The court has seen all of this, which is why both have been granted bail,” he said.

Congress leader Inderpal Singh also questioned the police action, saying that the arrests were politically motivated.