Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Nov 12: The murder suspect with alleged Naxal link, Chandrashekar Gurbal who was arrested in the murder case of Boja Shetty and Suresh Shetty, was released from the custody owing to lack of evidence, on Tuesday, November 11.

The murdered Boja Shetty was teacher by profession and Suresh Shetty was an agriculturist. The case hearing had been taking place in the court for five years. Due to lack of strong evidence, the accused was granted bailed. The hearing of the case was held at Udupi district session court in the presence of Justice Shivashankar B Amarannavar.

Asha, another accused in the case, was released on bail, a few months back.

The victims Boja Shetty and Suresh Shetty were allegedly shot dead by Naxal supporters on May 15, 2008 at Hebri. Asha was arrested after two years when a case was filed. The other two accused Vasanth and Manohar were killed in the police encounter. Sanjeeva had managed to escape from police.

The two arrested accused persons Devendra and Nandakumar are yet to be released. The duo will continue to be in police custody. Devendra has two cases against him. Nandaukumar has cases against him in other districts also.

According to criminal lawyer, Shantharam Shetty, "Out of 76 evidence, 39 evidence had been investigated on this murder case.

After being released from the police custody, Asha had addressed media and said that police were allegedly labelling Naxal link to her. She further said that her group was striving for the human interest issues such as preservation of Western ghats and mining issues.