Karnataka - Bangalore

SHRC seeks impartial inquiry

Bangalore: The Karnataka Human Rights Commission has asked the State Government to conduct “an impartial inquiry by a responsible investigative agency” into the disappearance and death of Padmapriya, wife of BJP MLA Raghupati Bhat.

S.R. Nayak, chairperson of the commission, has said in his order that the Government should “apprise the public of the true facts in order to gain the confidence of the general public in the maintenance of law and order and prevention of crime”.

He has directed the Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary to Government, Home Department, to submit a detailed response to the Government on the episode and apprise the commission about the outcome of the inquiry.

“As there has been a demand from several quarters to entrust the investigation to the CBI, the Home Secretary is also directed to send the response to the Government on that demand,” he has said.

The case was taken up by the commission in response to a representation submitted by the Karnataka Pragathipara Praja Vedike.

The Akhila Bharata Janavadi Sanghatane has alleged that Padmapriya’s body was “cremated in a hurry” to prevent the possibility of any further examination. The sanghatane has demanded a CBI inquiry into the episode.

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