Karnataka high court granted bail to Bajrang Dal activist Bhuvith Shetty and Achyutha who were booked in connection with the murder of Harish Poojary in November 2015, reported Bangalore Mirror.

They were in custody for 100 days after they were arrested for allegedly murdering Poojary who was riding pillion with a Muslim friend in Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada. The incident took place after the clash over Tipu Jayanthi celebrations in Madikeri.

Following the arrest in November, inspector general of police (western range) Amrit Paul said that the attack was planned, but they killed Harish thinking he was a Muslim.

On the day of the incident, Harish was reportedly returning home with his friend Samiullah after a cricket match.

Paul said, "They wanted to kill someone and went ahead with just that motive. They targeted Samiullah and assumed that the person who travelled pillion with him was also from the same community. It was an act of pervert minds.”

The attack took place against the backdrop of communal tension in the area over the November 10 celebration of Tipu Sultan Jayanti by the Congress government in Karnataka.

Shetty was earlier arrested for threatening writer KS Bhagwan on his Twitter handle @GarudaPurana a day after rationalist M M Kalburg was killed. He said: "Then it was UR Anantamoorty and now it is MM Kalburgi. Mock Hinduism and die a dogs death. And dear KS Bhagwan you are next."