Udupi: RTI Activist Vasudeva Adiga Cremated Amid Sea of Mourners
Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jan 13: The last rites of Congress member and RTI activist Vasudeva Adiga, whose body was found in Chikmagalur on Saturday January 12, five days after his alleged kidnapping, were conducted here on Sunday January 13.
Adiga's body was brought from Shimoga government hospital to Goliangadi on Saturday morning at around 9 am.
The body was taken to his residence at Vandar amid a large gathering of mourners. The procession passed through Goliangali cicle and Shiroor Murkukai before culminating at his residence.
Shops downed shutters as a mark of respect. Numerous supporters, well-wishers, and the public in general gathered to pay their last respects.
The rituals were led by priest Purshottam and the final rites were conducted by Adiga's brother Krishnamurthy Adiga.
Speaking to media, president of Kota block Congress Shankar Kundar expressed his grief over the tragedy and said that Vasudeva Adiga was a very active member of the Congress.
"His demise is a huge loss for the people and for the party. The authorities should take immediate action in this matter and do justice to his family," he said.
Muzrai minister and district inchage Kota Srinivas Poojary who also paid his respects to the departed soul condemned the incident and assured that culprits will be arrested within a week's time.
MP Jayaprakash Hegde, industrialist Pramod Madhwaraj, K Pratap Chandra Shetty, Karkala MLA Gopal Bhandary, former Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary , president of district unit of Mahila Congress Veronica Cornelio, Congress block president Kota Shankar Kundar, Rajesh Shetty of Brahmavar block Congress, Malyadi Shivaram Shetty of Kundapur block Congress, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Kapu, Youth Congress president Vikas Hegde and others paid their last respects.
Vasudeva Adiga was allegedly kidnapped on the night of January 7 near Goliangadi, and two days later his mobile phone was recovered near the spot. On January 12, the body was found in a pond near Kadur in Chikmagalur, with a heavy stone tied to the leg and injury marks on head and neck, indicating that he was probably strangled to death.
Sources said that Adiga's mother Sringeshwari has filed a complaint in Shankaranarayana police station, in which she has named his neighbour Ramesh Bayari as the accused. Fearing arrest, Bayari is understood to have already taken an anticipatory bail. He has also been given police protection in the event of any public outrage. Police investigations are on.