Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 27: The second additional district and sessions court here, which conducted hearing into allegation of attacking the personal secretary of minister, U T Khader, and speaking lowly about the caste to which he belongs, concluded on Thursday October 26 that these charges have been proved.

Vinod Kumar (34) and Prakash (36) from Kumpala were found guilty in this case. Both have been taken into custody and sent to prison. Another accused, identified as Sujeer (33) is absconding, and a separate case stands registered against him.

Praveen Kumar (37), personal secretary of minister, Khader, who happens to be an employee of Mangalore University, had visited a hotel in Ullal when the accused had attacked him with soda battles besides using derogatory words about him and the caste to which he belongs, on silly pretext. This incident had happened on April 7, 2010. Thereafter, case under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act had been registered against them in Ullal police station.

Panambur deputy superintendent of police, Gireesh,had conducted investigation and filed charge sheet. Judge of the court, Sarvodaya Shettigar, who examined witnesses, announced the judgement. Arguments over quantum of sentence will take place on October 28. The prosecution was represented by public prosecutor, B Shekhar Shetty,in this case.