Belthangady: On May 18, a case was registered against MLA Harish Poonja for obstructing police officers on duty. 

The Belthangady police had arrested BJP Yuva Morcha president Shashiraj Shetty, the main accused in an illegal stone mining case. 

MLA Poonja, accompanied by others, stormed the police station, demanding Shetty's release. Reports indicate that Poonja used foul language and threatened the officers, trying to pressure them into releasing Shetty. When they refused, Poonja further obstructed their duties.

 Consequently, the police have filed a case against him under sections 353 and 504 of the IPC.