Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jul 15: The adjourned hearing in a bail application preferred by prime suspect in Padmapriya death case Atul Rao, came up for hearing before the Udupi district and sessions judge on Monday July 14. After the arguments and counter arguments in the case concluded, the court said that it will deliver the verdict on July 21.
Public prosecutor J I Kittur, continuing with his earlier incomplete arguments on July 9, brought to the notice of the court that Atul is being charged with various non-bailable offences coming under section 306 and 365 which can attract imprisonment upto 10 years in jail. Atul has been arrested, considering the conduct of the accused before the registration of the case and thereafter, suspicions and various evidences, Kittur argued.
District and sessions judge K N Phaneendra questioned as to whether Padmapriya went with Atul on her own and on what basis does the prosecution suspect that abetment was involved in Padmapriya's suicide. The public prosecutor replied that the investigations are still in preliminary stages and statements of the witnesses are still to be recorded. Moreover, unnatural death and post mortem reports are yet to be received from the Delhi police, on receipt of which these charges will be substantiated.
The prosecution has evidence that Atul resided from May 25 to 29 at room No 203 and again in room No. 204 in Nice Palace Hotel New Delhi from June 2 to June 5. The prosecution has in its possession, evidence of Atul having travelled from Bangalore to New Delhi in the company of Kapil Kumar of Nice Palace Hotel New Delhi. Atul had met Sunil Kumar, a middleman who assisted in securing flat No 20 in Kshama Apartments New Delhi, on May 26 and the flat owner Lakwinder Singh, on the next day. A lease agreement was registered at the office of the sub-registrar, Kanakpuri New Delhi on May 28. A monthly rental of Rs 13,430 was agreed upon and Atul had paid advance rent of Rs 26,860 before receiving the flat key from its owner. He bought some household goods on May 28 itself and after keeping them in the said flat, returned to Udupi on May 29. Flat gatekeepers Birendra Singh and Nirdosh Kumar have confirmed that Atul came to the flat again on June 12 along with a woman.
Atul rented room No 412 of Swati Hotel Bangalore on June 10 and vacated it at 10 pm on June 12. A person named Upendra had handed over a key pertaining to Innova car at the hotel reception, with instructions to hand it over to the person who has hired the said room.
As per Upendra's version, after parking Wagan-R car at Kunjarugiri road, Atul and Padmapriya went to Kumta in the Innova car belonging to Atul. At about 1 pm that day, the car approached Hotel Pandurang at Kumta after which the car was driven back to Bangalore by Upendra. He then handed over the car keys at Hotel Swati.
Atul then went to Goa with Padmapriya in a hired taxi and then to New Delhi by air. Padmapriya wore jeans and cooling glass at that time. At 1.30 pm on June 12, Atul came back to Bangalore. There, he vacated the room and came back to Udupi through a KSRTC bus on June 13. Feigning total ignorance of what had happened, he behaved normally with the complainant. Needle of suspicion had not pointed towards him even till the complaint was made on June 19. Based on material evidence, Atul's statement was obtained. This complaint is not meant to frame any innocent persons and hence bail should not be granted, the public prosecutor argued.
Naushad Kashimji who appeared on behalf of Atul said that Padmapriya on her own will and accord had travelled with Atul. It is impossible to abduct her to New Delhi. She deserted her car and went with Atul, which shows that everything went as per pre-decided plans. She was wearing jeans and cooling glass while travelling, proving that she was going on her own will. This makes it abundantly clear that she was not abducted. On the morning of the day the death occurred, even the complainant himself was present at Delhi. Atul was with the police during that period. Hence Atul cannot be charged with inducing the woman to commit suicide. Nothing has transpired as to what happened during the period between early morning on June 15 till dusk. Due to untenable complaints, Atul, a patient, is languishing in jail since about a month, he said, pleading for releasing him on bail immediately.
Atul Rao, who is recuperating at an Ayurvedic hospital in Mangalore, was not present at the court. His wife Meera Rao was present.
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