I am Pained to See my Wife's Death making Headlines - Ragupathi Bhat
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jun 27: In a letter to a leading daily newspaper recently in response to various articles, stories and reports appearing everywhere, Raghupathi Bhat not only regretted the senseless comments and allegations being made against himself and his wife through various forums and stood by his version given to the police, holding Atul Rao entirely responsible for all his woes.
Refuting allegations of a rift between himself and his wife, he said he totally trusts his wife to the fullest and that there was no occasion for any misunderstanding to crop up between them.
"Both my family and the parents and siblings of Padmapriya knew how deeply we were in love with one another" he stated. Bhat expressed his deep pain at accusations, concocted stories and baseless insinuations that were spread by the media, print, electronic and worldwide web about his and his wife's character.
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Painting Atul Rao as an innocent man or victim of circumstances would be grossly incorrect. He was my childhod friend, acted like my close friend even after abducting my wife he acted like helping me to locate her, all along scheming to ruin me. I am pained to see stories about my wife's death making headlines, containing false allegations without verifying the truth with me, my family members or the parents of Padmapriya, he said.
Being in a position of responsibility and representing a political party, I know my limits and the extent to which any slip on my side would be exploited by detraactors, Bhat claimed, shooting down stories making rounds about his character.
I have total faith in the legal system and whenever I was approacahed by somebody, I have given information which is correct. I refuse to be hunted down by ciritizms and malicious propaganda. My wife took the responsibility of my family,my old and sick father and extended total support during the electioneering. Rumours of divorce etc., are unfounded and unacceptable.
If she was not comfortable with me, she would have discussed with my family mebers or hers. Even if she had given any information on this count to Atul, it was his duty to bring it to the notice of myself, my family or Padmapriya's family. He conjured up the abduction drama, kept my wife in a flat taken in his name and acted like helping in searching her. I feel Padmapriya, who was totally innocent, would have been blackmailed into accompanying him. Atul is entirely responsible for my wife's death and he should be punished. The police should deeply investigate the case and make public all the facts, Bhat demanded.
Daijiworld tried to extract Atul's response to what Bhat has said, but he could not be contacted inspite of our best efforts.
Atul Rao in Delhi
Meanwhile, the Udupi police, who have been hitting the trail and following the sequence of the case duly accompanied by Atul Rao who is in their custody, are learnt to have taken him to New Delhi after visiting Kumta and Goa where they conducted investigations, inverviews and verified records. It is learnt, that he was taken to Shama Apartment where Padmapriya's body was found, today morning. The police have been pooling information about the people who helped Atul at Delhi apart from obtaining statements from neighbourers, security staff of the apartment etc., with the help of the policemen there.
Atul Rao, who is said to have applied for voluntary retirement a month but that the application is yet to be accepted. He had applied for a month's leave just before the police took him in their possession, but this leave is yet to be sanctioned. Padmapriya too is reported to have applied for a job in a call centre in Delhi through the internet and the call centre had accepted to offer her a job.
In tune with the rules, Atul Rao may be suspended if he is charged in the criminal case.
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