Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Aug 29: Vijaya Shetty, an accused in an illegal mining case here, reportedly has severely assaulted Janardhan Nayak, a witness in the case, and his companion, Badia Handa.

The incident happened at Heranjalu, Kalthodu, Byndoor. Janardhan is employed in Kalthodu post office as post master. Janardhan Nayak had testified regarding a complaint registered with Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) against illegal mining by Vijaya Shetty in October, 2017 in Kalthodu. In this connection Vijaya Shetty had allegedly threatened Nayak several times of murder.

Janardhan Nayak had submitted a voice recording of the threats to concerned officials. However investigation has been painstakingly slow. ACB officials from Bengaluru had arrived four days ago to hold investigation at Hosakote. Badia Handa who was present was asked to testify. At that juncture, there were heated arguments between accused Vijaya Shetty, his group of supporters, and Janardhan Nayak.

Meanwhile Vijay Shetty had complained on Sunday evening that there are life threats from Janardhan Nayak. Therefore, police called Janardhan Nayak to police station. Janardhan Nayak and Badia Handa were going to the police station in an auto riksha on Monday afternoon at 3 pm when the group led by Vijaya Shetty and three others severely assaulted them. Janardhan Nayak has a deep wound on his head. Badia Handa’s hand is fractured. Both of them are admitted into a private hospital here.

A police complaint in this connection stands registered in Byndoor police station. Vijay Shetty and vehicle driver Manjunatha have registered a police complaint against Janardhan Nayak, Badia Handa, Prakash Nayak and Alsadi Shekar.

Kota Srinivas Poojary visits

As the news of the assault spread, there were reactions in social networks. Byndoor police registered a case against the accused at midnight. Vijay Shetty is absconding. Member of legislative council and leader of the opposition in the council, Kota Srinivas Poojary, visited the victims of assault and pacified them. He has urged for immediate arrest and action against the accused.

Janardhan Nayak said that the two of them were assaulted as they are witnesses against taluk panchayat member Vijay Shetty in a complaint to ACB. His wife said that he is assaulted due to campaign in favour of BJP.

Kota later spoke to the doctors who said that there is no need of anxiety.

Kota speaking to reporters said that he will give time to police to arrest suspects. “Politics should be set aside and the suspects should be arrested on charges of attempt to murder failing which I will meet the home minister. Assault on BJP activists in condemnable,” he said.

Zilla panchayat member Shankar Poojary, taluk panchayat member Mahendra Poojary, BJP general secretary Deepak Kumar Shetty, Yuva Morcha president Sharath Kumar Shetty, vice president Bhadra Shetty, Vijaya Kumar Kanchikana and others were present.