Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 13: Following intense and violent protests by the opposition BJP and right-wing outfits over the death of Paresh Mesta in Honnavar, the state government on Wednesday December 13 ordered CBI probe into the case.

According to police records, Paresh Mesta (18), son of Kamalakar, a resident of Tulasinagar, Honnavar, left home on the evening of December 6 to offer prayers at Shani temple and did not return home. On December 8, his body was found floating in Shettikere tank near the temple.

However, it was alleged that Paresh went missing after clashes broke out in Honnavar on the anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition. The BJP and the right-wing outfits alleged that Paresh was murdered as his body was mutilated and his face had turned black due to foul play being involved. Protests were held in Honnavar, Kumta and Sirsi during which police vehicles were set on fire and public property damaged. The BJP and the VHP have also repeatedly pressed for the resignation of home minister Ramalinga Reddy, who in turn blamed the BJP for the unrest in Uttara Kannada.

Paresh's family too were not convinced and demanded CBI probe into the case.

"In view of this request (by Paresh's father) and public protests in different locations in Uttara Kannada district and damage to public and private properties, the government has decided to entrust the case to the CBI for investigation," the government stated in its order.

The post-mortem report had stated that there was no external injuries caused by any weapons on Paresh's body, and that only two injuries were found, out of which one could have been due to blunt force. The report also rebuted BJP's claims that his body parts were mutilated, stating that such mutilation was caused to putrefaction or decaying of the body.