Karnataka HC grants bail to two accused in Gauri Lankesh murder case
Bengaluru (Karnataka) – The Karnataka High Court has granted bail to Vasudev Bhagwant Suryavanshi and Amit Baddi, the accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case. A single member bench of Justice MG Uma passed the bail order after hearing the separate pleas of the two.
Senior advocate M Arun Shyam, on behalf of the applicants, argued that the accused only have an allegation of theft of vehicle used in Kalburgi’s murder. These accused have been in jail for the past 6 years. The accused are also involved in the Gauri Lankesh murder case. The State Government had claimed that it would set up a Special fast-track Court for speedy hearing in this case, but so far it has not been implemented. Of the 138 witnesses in the Kalburgi murder case, only 10 witnesses have completed their witness. The hearing of the remaining witnesses is not likely to take place anytime soon, and hence, demand was made for granting bail to the accused.
On the other hand, the prosecution arguing on behalf of the Government said that there are serious charges against the accused and granting them bail would hinder the trial. Prima facie the evidence is against the accused, and hence, their bail plea should be rejected.
Karnataka HC rebuked the Government for delay in setting up of fast-track Courts
The High Court reprimanded the State Government during the hearing held a day before granting bail to the two accused. The Karnataka High Court has reprimanded the State Government for its delay in setting up a special fast-track Court to probe the murders of Prof MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh.
Special Public Prosecutor Ashok Naik said, ‘The Advocate General has discussed this with the High Court. At the time of the next hearing, the information about this will be presented to the Court’. The Court said, ‘A notification should be issued after establishing a Special fast-track Court and appointing judges. We know how the Government works’.