Karnataka - Bangalore

Riots: bail pleas of five accused rejected

Staff Reporter

High courtround-up They were arrested in connection with incidents in Bhatkal in March

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday rejected the bail application of Karavagedde Town Municipal Council vice-president Inayathulla Shabandri and four others, who were arrested for their alleged involvement in riots in Bhatkal in March.

In his petition, Mr. Shabandri said he was charged with inciting communal feelings in Bhatkal, which led to rioting on March 29. He said the police had foisted the charges on him, and he was innocent. He was for peace and amity and had not sought removal of "nagarakatte" (stones with carvings representing snakes) at Ashwath Katte, Bhaktal.

The police charged him under sections 143, 147, 153-A and 295 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Mr. Shabandri said he and the others accused had petitioned Uttara Kannada district court on April 28, but the petition was rejected.

Opposing the bail, Assistant Public Prosecutor N. Rudramuni said Bhatkal was a highly sensitive town, and disturbances had occurred in the last few years. He told the court that Mr. Shabandri had, at a peace committee meeting, declared his intention to have the Nagarakatte removed. Though he was cautioned against doing so by elders of the community, he went ahead with his plan, which led to communal clashes, Mr. Rudramuni said.

Since the five persons were allegedly responsible for the violence, they should not be granted bail, he added. Justice Ajit Gunjal rejected the bail petitions of Mr. Shabandri and the others.

Rejected

Justice Gunjal on Thursday rejected a bail petition by Omprakash Sreevastava Babloo, one of the accused in the abduction of businessman Satish Shetty from Hubli in 1998.

Appearing for the State, Assistant Public Prosecutor Rudramuni opposed grant of bail. He said Babloo, along with accomplices, had planned to kidnap several businessmen. Babloo was allegedly involved in the abduction of Satish Shetty on June 19, 1998.

Stayed

Justice Ajit Gunjal on Thursday stayed proceedings in a lower court against a software professional working in Canada.

The Fourth Additional City Metropolitan Magistrate in Bangalore had issued process and summoned Raveendra S. following a complaint of dowry harassment filed by his wife, Annaporna Radhakrishna.

The magistrate had directed the police to register a case against Mr. Raveendra, and ordered issue of process and sought his presence.

C.V. Nagesh, who appeared for Mr. Raveendra, said the magistrate had no jurisdiction to issue process when an offence was said to have been committed in another country.

He urged the court to stay the order of the magistrate, saying that the complaint registered against his client was not maintainable.

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