Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Sep 14: A Congressman has been arrested for allegedly threatening a witness in a murder case that took place in 2013.
Dhananjay Kadekar, member of Kadekar gram panchayat from Congress, has been arrested for allegedly threatening Ashwini, a young girl who was witness to the murder of Ranjitha by her lover Yogesh last year.
File photo of Yogesh and Ranjitha
Yogesh had been arrested on charges of stabbing Ranjitha (20) to death after she refused his proposal. Ashwini, who was accompanying Ranjitha, had tried to intervene but in vain. She was hence a witness in the case.
It is alleged that Dhananjay forcibly entered Ashwini's house on September 12 and issued death threats if continued to remain witness in the case. He also kicked the walls of the house and made threatening gestures, it is said.
As per sources, Dhananjay had earlier too tried to put pressure on the police to drop the case. Nevertheless, the police hunted down and arrested the alleged murderer, and currently, Yogesh is in jail. Dhananjay was even called for questioning before the arrest of Yogesh.
Ashwini and her family stay in a small hut on Yogesh's land. Her father is suffering from kidney ailment and unable to move out of the house. Her mother works as maid and earns for the family. Ashwini has an elder sister. The family is very poor.
The family was scared after Dhananjay issued the threat. With the help of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti(DSS), they lodged a complaint with the Malpe police, after which he was arrested.
DSS said that it plans to give a memorandum to the SP on Monday September 15 urging strict action against Dhananjay and protection to Ashwini and her family. It also stated that the compensation promised to Ranjitha's kin last year has not been handed over yet.
Case Recall: