Muthalik was arrested in Belgaum in north Karnataka late Friday. 'He has been brought to Mysore for interrogation,' Agarwal said.

Muthalik heads Sri Rama Sene (army of God Ram) and has been arrested several times earlier on charges of delivering inflammatory speeches.

Members of his outfit had thrashed several women in a pub in Karnataka's coastal city of Mangalore in January claiming women going to pubs was against Hindu culture. Muthalik had also threatened to disrupt Valentine's Day celebrations and marry off boys and girls displaying affection in public places.

He backed off in the face of nation-wide condemnation.