Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 30: The state High Court on Tuesday July 29 has asked the government to file objections if any for a bail application preferred by Atul Rao, the main accused in the mysterious death of Padmapriya, wife of Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat.

Justice Mohan Shantanagouder admitted the application put forth by Atul Rao, questioning the lower court decision of July 21 in rejecting his bail application. The court adjourned the hearing by two weeks, after giving two weeks time for the government to file its objections.

Opposition parties and various organizations have been pressure the government to entrust this case to Central Bureau of Investigations for bringing out the truth in the case. The application claims that the case was registered against Atul Rao duly backdating the complaint, with the purpose of saving embarrassment to the government.

The action of the lower court, in citing life threat Atul is facing, as the reason for rejecting his bail, is ridiculous. If at all he faces threat to his life, the court has the option of ordering the government to provide him security. Rejecting bail on this ground was not the right step, it has been contended.

Padmapriya committed suicide on June 15. Atul was with the police from June 13 itself.  Based on a first information report filed in a hurry, Atul Rao, an asthma patient, was made a scapegoat in the case, the application alleges.