Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Aug 19: The 18 persons arrested in the assault and murder of local BJP leader Praveen Poojary have been produced before the judge and sent to judicial custody till August 31.
Praveen was brutally assaulted and killed by 35 right-wing activists for transporting four calves late night on Wednesday August 18 in Kenjuru, Santhekatte. His friend Akshay Devadiga was also badly injured in the attacked and admitted to hospital.
Among the arrested is Arvind Koteshwar, owner of a petrol bunk and district convenor of Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV), and who is said to have instigated the attack.
While some of the accused were produced before the judge on Thursday August 19, others were produced before judge Rajesh Karnan on Friday August 20 night.
The police have also questioned several persons in the case, sources said.
ZP member Sumit Cowdoor along with several activists of right-wing outfits on Friday visited the accused as they were being escorted by the police. When media persons tried to click photographs, one of them questioned them in an annoyed tone saying, 'are they terrorists that you are clicking their photos?'
Meanwhile, the HJV has refuted some of the media reports about its involvement and issued a clarification stating that its activists had nothing to do with the attack.
HJV leader Jagadish Shenava in a press note said, "There is no connection between the murder related to cattle transport and Hindu Jagarana Vedike. HJV's name is being unnecessrily dragged into the matter. It is an attempt at spreading false propaganda against us, and we strongly condemn it."
The HJV also condemned the arrest of its convenor Arvind Koteshwar. "Some people who are jealous of his flourishing petrol bunk business have tried to frame him. He is a social worker who has fought for causes, and maintains good communication with the police as well as various government offices. He should be released immediately," Shenava demanded.
He also asserted that HJV's struggle to protect cows from illegal trafficking and slaughter has been within legal boundaries and it would continue. He pointed out that if the state government had brought strict laws against cow slaughter, such incidents would not have occured.
The HJV also condemned the arrest of 'innocents' in the case.