Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Oct 9: Forest officials, based on reliable information that a person identified as Sudhindra Aithal was running an unauthorised zoo at Kerekatte House in Saligrama, Brahmavar taluk, had raided the residence of the accused, taken him into custody and rescued several wild animals. Aithal reportedly maintained some rare species of wild animals without any authorization in his zoo which was titled 'Mrigaloka', where the animals were allegedly kept in a violent way. He also was collecting ticket charges from the people who were interested to visit his zoo, it was said.
The forest officials had produced the accused before the judge of the JMFC court at Kundapur, after which he was remanded to judicial custody. Aithal was later released by the court on bail. The investigating officials had filed charge sheet against Sidhindra Aithal in the JMFC court at Kundapur. During the trail which went on for 12 long years during which many witnesses were examined, it is said that the witnesses deposed against the accused.
The JMFC court, which heard the arguments and counter arguments, came to the conclusion that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges levelled against the accused. The court has acquitted him from all the charges.
Kundapur-based lawyer, Shyamasundar Nairy, and Neil Bryan Pereira, had represented the accused and placed arguments on his behalf, asserting that their client was innocent.