by Rons Bantwal for Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore

Mumbai, April 10: In a sensational ruling, the High Court of Mumbai ordered Agripada Police station to do a repeat post-mortem on the body of Talapady Mangalore resident Premanath Rao (34), who is said to have died of 'Lock-up' death on April 5, 2006 in the same police station.

Four police officials including sub-inspector Pramod Pawar and three others have already been suspended from service in connection with the case, according to Mumbai police Commissionar N N Roy.

Premnath Rao was residing in Mumbai for last 16 years and working forPriya Limited Company as an accountant. His father Janardan Rao (76) too was working for the same company for 30 years as driver.

On March 31, 2006 Premanath was sitting with the company auditors until late hours to finalize the accounts. He reached home late and learnt next morning that there was a robbery in the office and about five lac rupee cash was missing.

The owner of the company suspected his own workers and filed a case against Premanth Rao and others. Accordingly, court  committed Manjunath and his colleague to remand until April 10.

Unfortunately, on early morning of April 5, the police declared that Premnath had committed suicide by hanging himslef in a bathroom.

When family members saw the body, they suspected that it was not a suicide case but a murder because of evidence of heavy marks and signs of beatings. Also it was not possible for him to hang himself in a small place where the roof height is less than five feet.

The family members protesting his death requested the High Court to intervene and have the matter investigated.

The first port-mortem was conducted at MGM Hospital at Parel where doctors declared the death as 'unnatural'.

Premnath leaves behind wife Shubha, two sons - one of five and the second of two years.

Late news:

Mumbai High Court has upheld the request of Premanth Rao's family and ordered another post mortem at Sion Hospital.

The fresh post-mortem is expected to be take place in the late hours of April 10.

Devadiga community condemn:

President of Mumbai Devadiga community Dharmapal U Devadiga,Secretary Vasanth Karkal, office-bearers K Mohan Das, H Gopal Moily, and others visited the family members of Premanth and offered condolences.

The community has strongly condemned the atrocity of the Mumbai police and sought severe punishment against the culprits who played with thelife of Premnath.

The community has asked all organizations of South Kanara to join the protest.