Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Feb 16: 16 suspects, who were arrested so far in connection with the Kota double murder case that occurred at late night on January 26, were produced in the JMFC court in the presence of justice Srikanth on Friday, February 15.

Abhishek Palan, Rotti Nagaraj, Santhosh Kunder, Pranav Rao, Pavan Ameen, Veerendra Acharya, Rithesh Karkera and Shanker Mogaveera who were arrested earlier and were in judicial custody till Friday, February 15. Rajashekar Reddy, Harish Reddy, Raghavendra Kanchan, Mahesh Gangia, Ravichandra and Ravindra who were in police custody were remanded to judicial custody till March 1.

Two other suspects Chandrashekhar Reddy and Sujay who were arrested on Thursday were remanded to judicial custody till February 20.

An appeal seeking bail was submitted to the court for armed reserve police staff Pavan Ameen, Veerendra Acharya and college student Pranav Rao. Kundapur senior advocate Ravikiran Murdeshwar presented his argument in favour of the suspects. The advocate argued that they were neither directly involved in the crime nor in conspiracy or stimulus. In his argument the lawyer said, “As the allegations that they have destroyed evidence and helped the suspects to escape are eligible to be considered for bail, the application for bail should be decided soon."

The trial is adjourned till Saturday, February 16 after government prosecutor Sumangala Nayak said that she will present her arguments in favour of the government on that day.