Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Aug 27: A High Court judge, to whom the bail petition moved by Atul Rao, prime accused in the case pertaining to the disappearance and subsequent death of Padmapriya, wife of Udupi MLA K Raghupati Bhat, was referred, has refused to hear the same. It may be recalled that Atul, who used to be a close friend and confidante of the MLA, is charged with having been involved in the case.
The Judge in question, Justice Mohana Shantana Gowder however, did not assign any reasons for his refusal to hear the case. He referred the petition back to the Chief Justice, for being placed before some other bench.
Atul Rao was arrested by the Manipal police, acting on a complaint filed by Raghupati Bhat. The police have filed chargesheet against him, accusing him of masterminding the kidnap of Padmapriya.
The state government has filed its objections to the bail petition, claiming that the investigations by the police and Corps of Detectives have found Atul's active involvement in kidnapping Padmapriya and taking her to Delhi. In the course, he is also charged with duping the Goa police.
The government said that Atul Rao had abducted Padmapriya from Kunjarugiri Hills on June 12, 2008. She was taken to Goa by road and then to Delhi by flight. He replaced photograph of his wife with that of Padmapriya with the intention of duping the Goa police to make them believe that the lady travelling with him by air is in fact, his own wife, the prosecution has said.