Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 30: With reference to the murder of RTI activist Raju, the 59th CCH court here has delivered a judgement as per which all the 12 accused have been found guilty and awarded life term sentences. They also have been directed to pay fine of Rs 25,000 each.

Judge of the court Laxminarayan, delivered this verdict. He said that during the investigatiokn and trial, involvement of the accused in the murder has been clearly established. Therefore, he said, life terms are being awarded.

Former corporator of Azad Nagar constituency Gowramma, her husband Govindaraju, Rangaswamy, Shankar Raghavendra, Chandrahehar, Umashankar Bhavani, Velu, Lokanath, Zaheer and Suresh have been given life term sentences.

RTI activist Lingaraju had collected documents about illegal property amassed by municipal corporator, Gowrama, and her husband, Govindaraju. He had then complained to the Lokaukta. Within a few days thereafter, Lingaraju was killed in front of his house by a gang which attacked him with lethal weapons.

The high court had registerd suo motu case relating to tis murder and ordered impartial investigation. It had also formed a special investigation team to find out the accused and bring them to book.