Mangaluru: The fourth JMFC court, Mysuru, directed the Devaraj police station here to file a case against Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde on December 5, and asked it to investigate the complaint and submit a report by December 30.

Suresh Palya, senior advocate and president of the legal cell of the District Congress, said a complaint was lodged by Basavaraj Naik at Devaraj police station on November 25, but the police refused to register the case saying the incident did not happen in their jurisdiction, and they could not file a case based on newspaper reports.

Then A.G. Sudhir advocate and Congress leader, and few others lodged a private complaint against the Union Minister under IPC 153 (A) and 504 in the court. They submitted to the court video clippings and newspaper cuttings.

The court then directed the Devaraj police to register a case. The case is likely to be transferred to Belagavi district police as the statement is reported to have been made by the Minister during a programme in Belagavi district.