Court denies bail to Yuva Brigade leader wanted in RTI activist murder case

MANGALURU: In a setback to Yuva Brigade leader Naresh Shenoy, the second additional district and session’s court on Friday rejected anticipatory bail sought by him in connection with murder of RTI activist Vinayak Pandurang Baliga. Miscreants had hacked Vinayak to death when he was on his way to Sri Venkataramana Temple here on March 21. The court upheld contention of public prosecutor Shekar Shetty that it will not be prudent to grant bail at this juncture.
The judge Sarvottam Shettigar in denying anticipatory bail agreed to prosecution contention that Naresh, wanted by Mangaluru City Police in the murder case, is an influential person and there is all possibility of him tampering with evidence and witnesses if given bail.The prosecution had also argued that Naresh should have appeared before the police to help ongoing investigation. However, Naresh’s whereabouts are not known since murder, prosecution said.
Police incidentally have arrested three persons – two initially and one subsequently - in connection with the murder for their direct involvement in the case. M Chandra Sekhar, city police chief has maintained that Naresh has a lot to answer for in this murder. Unable to trace him, the city police subsequently also issued a look out notice for Naresh. Chandra Sekhar said police will intensify their efforts to apprehend Naresh and chances of him getting legal relief are slim.
Shekar Shetty said the only option for Naresh now is to approach the high court and apply for anticipatory bail there, which incidentally is the course of action that Shambu Sharma, his counsel hinted at. The defence counsel may sight their efforts to secure anticipatory bail at the lower court as a reason for moving the high court, he noted. Chandra Sekhar said with circumstantial evidence pointing towards Naresh, it will make sense for him to surrender before the police.
In a related development, activists and friends of the slain RTI activist stated they will hold a protest march from the place where he was murdered to the police commissioner’s office on May 2. This march will be via Kodialbail, Vithoba Temple Road, Temple square, Bhavanthi Street to police commissioner’s office where a memorandum will be submitted to the top cop. Narendra Nayak, activist said the march is to protest police inefficiency in nabbing Naresh.