Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jun 26: As reported earlier, Yuva Brigade leader Naresh Shenoy, the prime accused in the murder of RTI activist Vinayak Baliga, has been arrested after being on the run for nearly three months.
Confirming the arrest, police commissioner Chandra Sekhar on Sunday June 26 told a press meet that along with Naresh Shenoy (39) was arrested by Mangaluru city crime branch (CCB) near Hejamady, contrary to earlier reports that he was nabbed in Kerala.
The police commissioner also said that during investigations it was revealed that Shenoy had even destroyed evidence in the case, besides hatching the murder conspiracy with the others accused in the crime and paying them for the same.
Asked where Shenoy was hiding till now, the commissioner said that Shenoy had visited Gorakhpur, Lucknow, some places near Nepal border and also Jammu and Kashmir.
He said whoever had helped Shenoy abscond from the city would be booked under section 212 of IPC for harbouring the accused.
He also said there was suspicion on a person named Vignesh who would be taken into custody soon.
The commissioner asked the public to send information, if any, to the police regarding the Vinayak murder case. “The names and identity of the persons who give us information will never be revealed to anybody." he said.
Motive behind murder
The commissioner said it was not possible to ascertain the clear motive behind the murder now as interrogation of the prime accused is still in progress. But Vinayak Baliga being an RTI activist and involved in many RTI petitions, the conspirators wanted to eliminate him, he said.
When asked if the issue of Shree Venkataramana Temple could be the main reason for the murder, Chandra Sekhar said it was not possible to draw conclusions at this stage. But he ruled out the role of underworld elements. "The conspiracy was hatched here in city by the accused," he said.
He revealed that Naresh would be produced in court soon and additional chargesheet will also be filed at an appropriate time.
Vinayak Baliga was murdered on the morning of March 21 this year. So far, the police have arrested Vinith Poojary, Nishith Devadiga, Shivaprasad alias Shiva, Shailesh alias Shailu, Manjunath Shenoy and Shrikanth in the case. In the chargesheet, the police have named Naresh Shenoy as the prime accused. Only Manjunath Shenoy is out on bail with other being in jail.
Moving on to other issues, the commissioner said that an awareness programme on the dangers of drug abuse will be held in all school and colleges from Monday June 27 and there will be a rally 'Run for Drug-free Mangaluru', on July 1 at Nehru Maidan at 6 am.
Tulu language training for police
The commissioner said that a 10-day Tulu language training programme for the new police recruits has begun in the district. "22 police personnel have been trained so far. A training programme in Beary language will also be introduced soon. Konkani is also on the cards. 34% of police personnel are from outside Dakshina Kannada," he said.