Mangalore: 'Karavali Ale' B V Seetharam Rejects Bail
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (TU/SP)
Udupi, Jan 6: Director and chairman of the Mangalore-based Chitra Publications Private Limited BV Seetaram was remanded to judicial custody till January 17 by the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class here on Monday January 5. He was produced before the court handcuffed with tight security comprising of a gun man and four police officials.
He had been arrested from near Karkala on Sunday January 4 in connection with a defamation case. Judicial Magistrate First Class Sujatha ordered the extension of judicial custody till January 17 after Seetharam rejected bail, stating that he was apprehensive that the police would arrest him in connection with other cases which have been booked in some police stations. Therefore, he intended to remain in judicial custody for his personal safety, he said. Later he was hospitalized at Udupi district government hospital for treatment since he is a diabetic. It is learnt, that the policemen belonging to Bajpe police station had come here to arrest him in connection with a case pending there, in case he secured bail.
Speaking to media persons Seetaram's advocate Shashikanth Shetty said that the editor was directed to give a self-bond for granting of bail, but he refused to do so. He feels that his life is under threat in the hands of the police and the state government. 'Bringing the accused handcuffed to court was a violation of human rights. I have seen robbers and thieves being brought to court without handcuffs', he added.
Terming his arrest as an attack on freedom of the press, Seetaram said that the police insisted on handcuffing him. "This is a malicious campaign sponsored by the Baharatiya Janata Party government to muzzle the voice of the newspaper. My newspapers raised its voice against the MSEZ and attack on Christians in Mangalore and elsewhere. We had filed complaints against the attackers who ransacked my office and also the shops of the news agents in the city, but no action has been taken," he said. He also feared attacks by the Bajrang Dal activists in jail. Seetaram has been advised rest and treatment for three days by the doctor.
He said that the police had hatched a plan to execute him through a fake encounter in the deep forest near Karkala. "I am safe because of the mobile calls. I got information on encounter plans from the police sources themselves", he claimed.
It may be recalled, that 'Karavali Ale' newspaper office in Mangalore was attacked on November 17, 2008. Meanwhile, miscreants have been attacking news agents, hawkers and delivery vans of this newspaper for the last one and half months to disturb its distribution network.