Daijiworld News Network - Udupi (GA)

Udupi, Feb 21: The assault case on Nagarjuna Thermal Plant official M N Shetty in the month of October 2005 has taken an interest twist with the Second ACJ Court here sending the office bearers of Nandikur Janajagruti Samiti for judicial custody on Monday February 20.

Nandikur Janajagruti Samiti (NJS) president and taluk panchayat member Laxman Shetty and NJS office bearers Jayant Bhat, Vasant Shetty and Harish Shetty were the prime accused in the said case. They were recently granted anticipatory bail from the High Court.  Thereafter, Laxman Shetty had contested for the taluk panchayat elections and had won the elections too.

However, their bail plea in the district court was still pending till recent.  However, when it finally came for hearing on Monday, the judge remanded all 4 of them to judicial custody up to March 4. 

But the news from Nandikur said that all four of them have now been admitted to hospital owing to illness.  The sources also said that a protest and silent march would be held in Palimar, Nandikur, Mudarangadi and surrounding areas on Tuesday.

This correspondent who was in the Palimar and Adve areas this morning said that shops had been closed and usual activities were marred by the strike.  Though no incidents of violence reported yet, tension surely prevailed.  Police have already beefed up security in the area to face any unwanted situation.  Local men and women have been planning to stage a silent protest in the court complex in the city on Tuesday.