Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120355110900.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

CBI probe sought into ‘role’ of Asnotikar in Dilip Naik case

Correspondent

Karwar: A fresh case has been filed in a Karwar court by Sanjay Baburao Naik seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the assassination of Dilip Naik. Mr. Sanjay Naik is the nephew of Dilip Naik who was killed in a gang war in Karwar four years ago.

The applicant has sought re-investigation to establish the alleged possible role of Anand Asnotikar, Fisheries and Science and Technology Minister and his mother and Congress MLC Shubhalata Asnotikar in the case.

Sanjay Naik is represented by lawyer C.V. Nagesh of Bangalore

Mr. Sanjay Naik has contended that Mr. Asnotikar being a Minister was capable of scuttling the police investigation in the case. Mr. Sanjay Naik has cited the transfer of the former Assistant Commissioner of Karwar, Vijay Mahantesh, for passing a judgment against Mr. Anand Asnotikar in an election related case as a ground for his fears.

He has brought to the notice of the court the alleged involvement of the Minister and his mother in the case.

The petition has cited documents provided by a mobile phone company which indicate that the main accused in the Dilip Naik murder case, Raju Shetty had made calls from his mobile phone to the mobile phones of Mr. Anand Asnotikar and Ms. Shubhalata Asnotikar.

The petitioner has alleged that soon after of the murder of Dilip Naik, Mr. Anand Asnotikar visited the samadhi of his father Vasant Asnotikar. There were financial transactions between the accused persons and the Asnotikar family a few days before the assassination of Dilip Naik, the petitioner has alleged.

Vasant Asnotikar, then Karwar MLA, was shot dead by three assailants in Karwar. The main accused, Dilip Naik, fled the country.

The Corps of Detectives arrested him in the Kisht Islands in Iran and brought him to India.

When he obtained bail a few months later, he was murdered on Coutinho Road in Karwar city.

Though the police arrested all the accused in a short time after the crime, Dilip Naik’s family has been demanding an inquiry into the alleged possible role of the Asnotikar family in the episode.