BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday reserved its order on the petition filed by the SIT, CID, challenging the bail granted by a trial court to JDS MLA HD Revanna on May 13, in connection with the kidnapping of a victim of rape allegedly involving his son, former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna.
Justice M Nagaprasanna reserved the order after hearing arguments made by Special Public Prosecutor Prof Ravivarma Kumar, representing SIT, and senior counsel CV Nagesh, on behalf of Revanna, who was booked by KR Nagar police in Mysuru district, based on the complaint filed by a victim.
Prof Ravivarma Kumar, assisted by Additional State Public Prosecutor B N Jagadeesha, argued that the chargesheet had been filed by SIT on July 29 against the accused, supported by forensic evidence, for alleged involvement in the kidnap of the victim. The chargesheet indicates that the victim was abducted at the instance of the accused, and hence 364A of the IPC was invoked against him. The FSL report and mahazar report confirmed hair samples found in the farmhouse of accused No.7, where the victim was kept under illegal detention, matched with the victim’s hair. Without considering materials found during the investigation, the trial court granted bail to the accused arbitrarily, he argued.
Nagesh argued that the plea for quashing the bail order and cancellation of bail granted, needs to be looked at on a different footing. Cancellation of bail can be sought when the accused threatened witnesses, tampered with evidence or for violation of any other conditions imposed while granting bail. However, no such violations are found in this case. Even invoking Section 364A of IPC against the accused for abduction is not permissible as there was no deceit or demand of ransom behind alleged kidnap of the victim. Hence, the petition is liable to be dismissed, he argued.
HC stays proceedings against Sudhakar
The High Court on Thursday stayed criminal proceedings against Chikkaballapura MP Dr K Sudhakar and another accused in relation to the chargesheet filed against them in a case registered by the Flying Squad Team of the ECI, after the seizure of Rs 4.8 crore cash during the general election. Sudhakar was accused of making a WhatsApp call to Munish Moudgil, Nodal Officer, MCC, on April 25, and a message from a phone number now alleged to belong to him requesting help after the cash seizure from the residence of one Govindappa, accused no.2. Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the interim order, staying the proceedings against both Sudhakar and Govindappa, after hearing two separate petitions filed by them, questioning the proceedings initiated against them.