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MLA's Wife Back Home : Police Version full of Contradictions
Daijiworld Media Network - udupi
Updates at 10.00am, IST, Jun 15
Reports have confirmed, that Padmapriya has arrived in Mangalore today morning and will reach her home at Udupi by 11 am.
The police, refuting earlier version, claimed that she was found in one of the resorts in Dharmapuri, Tamilnadu. They have since come up with another story, saying that she was found in the house of her relative at Murdeshwar.
Reliable sources said, that the kidnap was masterminded by a close associate of the MLA and that an engineer and a driver are already in the custody of the police in this respect.
Raghupathi Bhat was not available for his comments. State home minister Dr V S Acharya however, confirmed that Padmapriya is fine except for mental fatigue and that she requires about three days' rest to recover fully.
Update at 9.00am, IST (Jun 15)
Udupi, Jun 15: Police sources have informed, that the case relating to the mysterious disappearance of Padmapriya, wife of Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, has been cracked. She was found at Jain Resort located near Malur in Kolar, lining the state's border with Tamilnadu. Plans were afoot to bring her to Udupi on the night itself by air, but she was being transported by road, as night flights were not available, they said. She is expected to reach her home any time now.
A few accused had kept Padmapriya under confinement at the said spot. Relating to the incident, the police have been interrogating an engineer from Udupi, said to be a close confidant of the MLA. The entire police force from Udupi Uttara Kannada, Chikmagalur and DK districts had been assigned with the task of cracking this case and the Inspector General of Police and superintendents of police of these districts were co-ordinating the rescue efforts.
The police had observed that two calls were made to Padmapriya's mobile phone at 9 am and 9.45 am on the morning of June 11, after which the sim of this mobile was removed. Both calls were made by her relatives. Based on this, the abduction appeared to have been taken place at about 10.15 on that day. The police, tracing clues, even visited Murdeshwar on the night of June 13 to find out whether she had gone to the house of Srinivasacharya, her relative staying there, but returned empty handed. The dog squad and the finger print experts could not be of much help because of the incessant rains that erased these traces. However, three finger prints were found on the steering wheel of the abandoned car of Padmapriya.
Several questions were facing the police in this case. Was she in the car when the finger prints appeared on the steering wheel, was the first question they encountered, as the car keys were left in the dash board. The fact that car was facing the opposite direction to the temple route there, gave an indication that the MLA's wife had not paid a visit to the temple at Kunjarugiri. Cash amounting to nearly Rs.10,000 and four credit cards were found in the car, ruling out kidnapping for money. The police also subjected Tamilian labourers who were engaged in a stone quarry located near the spot where the car was found abandoned.
Now it has become clear that the miscreants wanted to mislead the police and parked the car on Kunjarugiri road for this very purpose. Raghupathi Bhat had said, that he does not have any enemies and has full faith in the ability of the police department to find out the truth. He had also said that he rested his hope on the grace of the Lord. During the 'darshan' (invoking demigods on the persona of patri) of Kalkuda organised at the house of the MLA on Friday, the demigod had assured that the lady would be found by Saturday night.
It is rumoured that the kidnapping resulted out of enmity relating to some financial transactions and an emerging political leader is involved.
Updates at 11.50pm, Jun 14
Udupi, Jun 14: Putting speculations to a halt , the case of the MLA Ragupathi Bhat’s wife may seem to end on a happy note.
Undoubtedly Padmapriya's husband is powerful BJP MLA from Udupi. The Home Minister also is his close political mentor, and there is a favourable ruling state government . No information that would damage the family, the MLA and more importantedly the BJP would spill over easily.
Daijiworld.com Udupi reporter flashed the news as soon as it was confirmed by top BJP leaders in Udupi. The supporters of Ragupathi were relieved and all were in a jubilant mood when they heard of the news that Padmapriya was found in Mavuru, near Kolar and was now returning to Udupi.
Reliable sources have disclosed that there were two men in the car, one of whom was reportedly a close business associate of Ragupahi Bhat and other one was a former driver of Bhat.
But when Daijiworld contacted the SP of Mangalore and Udupi they did not confirm nor deny the reports of Padmapriya being traced at Kolar.
Daijiworld also tried to contact IGP A M Prasad, but he was not available for comment.
Daijiworld however, managed to speak to the Home minister V S Acharya, who said that by tomorrow morning there would be good news. “Our department is very close to cracking the case and a major breakthrough has been achieved.” He denied that there was any Naxal involvement in this case.
Daijiworld also spoke to Sunil Kumar former MLA of Karkala who has been closely associated with Bhat specially during the last few days. He confirmed that Padma has been found in Kolar and the media would be briefed about it in the morning.
Ragupathi Bhat was not available to speak to any media.
Unconfirmed reports stated that Padmapriya would be brought to Mangalore by Helicopter and produced before IGP A M Prasad tomorrow morning. The Kolar Police chief would accompany her. The other two male occupants of the car would be brought to Udupi by road.
The big question mark still remains. Was Padmpriya really kidnapped or did she go on her own free will ?
This will remain a magical question unanswered until police officials or the Home Minister briefs the press in the morning.
But to the relief of thousands of worried daijiworld readers who sent their best wishes and offered prayer for her safety, Padmpriya, will surely re-unite with her family on Sunday morning.
Daijiworld breaking news at 9.00pm, Jun 14
Udupi: Missing wife of MLA Raghupati Bhat Traced in Kolar
In an interesting move, Padmapriya, wife of Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat was Reportadly
found at Kolar on Saturday, June 14.
It may be recalled that Padmapriya was reported missing since June 10. Her car was found abandoned at the Kunjaragiri temple area raising many doubts of her disappearance.
Sources said that, Padmapriya was reportadly roaming in an Indigo car at Kolar since the last few days. The local police who were aware of the missing report got suspicious of the car. It is now reported that she is on her way to Mangalore, sources added.
Earlier coverage:
Udupi: MLA Raghupati Bhat's Wife Padmapriya Goes Missing - Abduction Suspected
Inputs: R K Durga Digitals
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (GA)
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri , Rakesh Kunjur, & Prajwal Ukkuda
Udupi: Padmapriya Case - IGP A M Prasad Confident of Early Breakthrough
Udupi, Jun 14: Western Range IGP A M Prasad, who has been supervising the investigation in to the mysterious disappearance of MLA Raghupati Bhat's wife Padmapriya, has expressed confidence in making an early breakthrough.
Speaking to Daijiworld in Udupi, though he did not give any clue, he said, 'The police teams formed to trace her are working round the clock.'
He appealed to people not to lose patience and have faith in the police force to solve the case and find Padmapriya.
He later addressed the press at Raghupathi Bhat's residence along with State Kannada Development Authority 'Mukyamantri' Chandru.
A visibly worried Raghupathi Bhat was consoling his kids who were waiting for their mother. Relatives as well as friends of Bhat family were trying to pacify the kids and assure them that their mother would be back soon.
Prayers have been offered at various religious places and the entire coastal region is anxiously waiting for a breakthrough.
The case is also a big challenge for home minister Dr V S Acharya, who has been personally communicating with top officers to be more active and speed-up the investigation.
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