Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Sep 2: The court of the chief judicial magistrate here, through an order passed on Thursday September 1, acquitted all the 21 persons who were accused of obstructing policemen from discharging their duties, of the charge levelled against them.

The police had filed the case relating to Shanaishwara puja organized in the agricultural field of Lord Mahalingeshwara temple here by Sri Rama Sene nine years ago. State convener of the Sene, Arunkumar Puttila, had led the puja which was organized on February 3, 2007. The police had caned the people when Bhajan was going on, on the pretext that microphones were used without prior permission.

Later, a case had been filed against 21 persons. They were charged with obstructing seven policemen including police circle inspector from discharging duties. Charge sheet was also filed in course of time.

The activists of the Sene had also been charged with murder attempt, delivering inflammatory speeches, and blocking policemen from discharging duties. After hearing the case, the accused were absolved of the charges of murder attempt and inflammatory speeches.

Out of 21 persons named in the charge sheet which included Arunkumar Puttila, Damodar Bhandarkar, Nellikatte Raviprasad Shetty, Rajeev Suvarna and others, one of the accused, Ganapati Shenoy, had died during the trial.

The accused were represented in the court by advocates, Mahesh Kaje, Devanand K, Mithun Rai, and Rakesh Balnad.