Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (DC)
Udupi, Jul 10: Notorious underworld element Bannanje Raja, who reached his native place here on July 8, spent a day with his ailing mother on July 9.
Raja was granted a day's release from the prison to meet his ailing mother. He is lodged at Hidalga jail in Belagavi presently.
Raja met his mother at his residence in Malpe Sasithota amid tight police security. He had filed a plea in the court to meet his ailing mother. He was allowed to be with his mother from 9 am to 6 pm.
Soon after he reached his house, he took blessings from his mother and enquired about her health. He was given breakfast which was arranged by the police itself. In the afternoon, he was given home-made kori rotti and fish meal. His father Sundara Shettigar, mother retired teacher Vilasini, a brother, two sisters-in-law and their children, his wife and two children who came down from Bengaluru were present.
Superintendent of police Laxman Nimbargi, additional superintendent of police Kumarachandra also visited his house. At 6 pm he was taken to Udupi town police station. He will be taken to Belagavi after medical test on Tuesday, said police sources.
After a long time the mother and son duo met each other. After 1995 he had met his mother only once, when he was taken to Udupi for questioning.
On Monday several friends, neighbours and his classmates waited to meet Raja who studied at Fisheries School near his residence. But only few close relatives were allowed to meet Raja.
Following his visit, the police team led by circle inspector Manjunath had tightened the security outside and inside Raja's house. KSRP, civil police and district police teams were assigned the duty of maintaining security during Raja's visit. CCTV cameras were installed around the house and barricades were put up at 50 meters away from the house. Other than police, no one was allowed inside the house including the media.
He was arrested in 2015 in Morocco and as many as 16 criminal cases are booked against him including shootout, robbery and murder.