Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 21: Veteran CPM leader and polit bureau member, Brinda Karat, visited the house of the slain RTI activist Vinayak Baliga here at Kodialbail on Monday March 21. Baliga was murdered six years back. She consoled the sisters of Vinayak Baliga, who are the only surviving family members of Vinayak Baliga left as of now. This murder case completed six years as at March 21.

The sisters of Vinayak Baliga told Brinda Karat that their bother was killed on the issue of corruption in Lord Venkataramana temple, car street here. "Vinayak Baliga, a BJP booth committee member, was eliminated by the people associated with the BJP. Later, with the support of the party leaders, the accused have come out on bail and are moving around freely. Even after six years of murder, the family has not got justice," rationalist Narendra Nayak, who was present at the house of Baliga, explained to Brinda. The two sisters of Baliga, who are the only family members left after the demise of their parents who were told aged when they lost their son and the problems they are facing.

Speaking to media persons, Brinda said that she and other leaders will extend support to the family of Vinayak Baliga who was killed brutally because he fought against temple corruption. She said that even after the accused were identified by the police, the family did not get justice because the leaders in power in Karnataka are supporting the accused. She demanded for the setting up of a special investigation team for this case, and that her party will raise its voice in a way that the state government will feel the heat. She noted that the accused were among those who got themselves photographed in the company of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She wanted to know whether the BJP leaders are extending support to the accused because of this fact.

Democratic Youth Federation of India state president Muneer Katipalla, senior leader Yadava Shetty, rationalist Narendra Nayak, advocate Asha Nayak, Sunil Kumar Bajal, and others were present. On this occasion, Brinda Karat garlanded the photo of Vinayak Baliga and paid tributes to him.