Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SS)
Udupi, Apr 14: The Santosh suicide case has become a high profile one in the state political circles, causing upheavals in the state's polity. Many questions are being raised about Santosh's unnatural death. Why did a Belagavi contractor come to Udupi to end his life? What were his plans when CM Bommai was on a visit to Udupi on April 11 for which he was invited? Whom did he want to meet?
At the first instance, why did Santosh go missing without informing his family members? Why were his friends who were with him not seen in the media after his death? Were his friends in police custody? These are some of the questions that have been raised and are doing the rounds.
Presently, the Udupi Police have registered a case and are investigating.
Santosh's friends Santosh of Madikeri and Prashanth of Byndoor, who are key witnesses to the case are nowhere to be seen in public since the last two days.
On Monday, Santosh had checked into a lodge in the evening along with his friends. Soon after Santosh's death, the police have subjected his friends to probe and interrogation.
Police have sent notices to Santosh's friends - Santosh and Prashanth - stating that they should present themselves before the police whenever they are summoned. The Udupi Police had summoned them this morning to the police station, according to police sources.
Inquest from today
Police sub-inspector Pramod who has been named as the investigating officer of the Santosh suicide case has begun his probe in right earnest.
It has come to the notice of the police that Santosh bought biscuits, clothes and poison with his friends besides other things along their journey to Udupi. Investigating officer Pramod will be embarking on a visit starting today to Davanagere, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga and Kundapura as part of his search operations.
Police have suspected that Santosh had consumed poison from a bottle which was found in the bin. It is said that all the facts are likely to be known once the forensic report is out.
Two police teams formed:
For further investigation of the suspicious suicide case, two police teams have been formed led by Sharan Gowda Patil, Malpe circle inspector and another headed by Anantha Padmanabha, Brahmavar circle inspector.
SP N Vishnuvardan is overseeing the investigation and Pramod, PSI town Udupi is the investigation officer.
One team has left for Belgaum and another team is monitoring in Udupi, working on technical parts like CCTV footages, digital evidences and so on in this case.