Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Nov 10: The Udupi CJM court sentenced Atul Rao to one year of imprisonment on Friday, November 10, in connection with the case involving fraud, forgery, and deceit related to the disappearance and suicide of Padmapriya, the wife of former MLA K Raghupati Bhat, which occurred on June 10, 2008.
Padmapriya, wife of former MLA Raghupati Bhat, vanished from her residence in Karambali. Subsequently, Atul Rao, a childhood friend of Raghupati Bhat from the same town, reportedly transported Padmapriya in his car and strategically staged her disappearance by leaving a piece of bangle and blood stains on the road to Kunjarugiri.
A complaint was filed by Raghupati Bhat on June 19, 2008, leading to the registration of a case at the Manipal police station. Initially handled by the Manipal police, the investigation was later taken over by CoD officials. The CoD police filed an initial charge sheet against the accused on August 22, 2008, and a final charge sheet on June 29, 2009, alleging fraud, creation of fake documents, and misappropriation of the same. Charges of abduction and incitement to suicide were dropped due to insufficient evidence, as per Raghupati Bhat's complaint.
Judge Yogesh of the Udupi CJM Court, after hearing the case, declared that the charges against the accused had been proven. Atul Rao was sentenced to one year of imprisonment and fined Rs 5,000 under IPC 458 Act. Additionally, he received six months of imprisonment and a Rs 5,000 fine under IPC 417, 455, and 471. Sivaprasad, the Special Public Prosecutor for COD, presented the case in court.