Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jul 10: Atul, prime suspect in Padmapriya Death case, was earlier remanded to judicial custody till July 9. He was to be produced in local court on Wednesday July 9, but because of ill health, he did not make a personal appearance at the court. After the jail authorities produced papers in support of their claim that Atul was unwell, judge A M Ramachandraiah issued orders extending Atul's judicial custody till July 23.
The bail application filed by Atul through his lawyer Purushotham Poojari, came up for hearing before the district and sessions judge Phaneendra. At first, the public prosecutor J I Kittur was allowed to file his objections. The public prosecutor argued that the accused should not be released on bail as he has been detained for non-bailable offences and as the case is still in preliminary stages of investigation. He demanded for extension of Atul's bail. The public prosecutor stated that this was also necessary in view of the fact that post mortem and UND reports, which are still not received, have to be verified to substantiate the innocence of Atul.
Atul's counsel Purushottam Poojari asserted, that Atul could only be charged under section 498 of the Indian Penal Code, which is a bailable offence. He said his client was a scapegoat in the case and that he can in no way be framed for non-bailable offences like in the cases related to dowry harassment. Poojari requested the courts to take cognizance of newspaper reports that the accused hails from a respectable family, he is being framed unnecessarily, he deserves bail because he has chronic health problems etc., the public prosecutor said, that the court hearing loses meaning if media reports are taken as testimonies. The judge adjourned the hearing to Monday July 14.
Meanwhile, Atul was discharged from Wenlock Hospital Mangalore on Wednesday July 9 afternoon. Immediately after he was brought back to Mangalore sub-jail, he complained of complications and hence was shifted to a private hospital. It may be recalled, that the court had directed the concerned to provide medical treatment to Atul at a hospital of his choice, as and when required, at his own cost.
Wenlock hospital sources said that Atul was suffering from health problems like depression, back pain and asthma attacks in late evenings. He was discharged after his condition improved, and the hospital had prescribed him follow up medication, they said.
Manipal police station inspector B G Achar in the meantime, sent a reminder to the officials at New Delhi about the non-receipt of the post mortem report.
Daijiworld Coverage: