SC grants bail to accused in murder case of Shiv Sena leader
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court has granted bail to a person accused of hatching a conspiracy to kill a local Shiv Sena leader in Maharashtra in 2020.
A bench comprising justices B R Gavai, C T Ravikumar and Sanjay Kumar took note of the submissions of lawyer Sana Raees Khan, appearing for prime accused Suraj Vijay Agarwal, that other co-accused in the case have been granted bail by the top court.
Rahul Umesh Shetty, who was the former Lonavala unit chief of Shiv Sena, was shot dead in broad daylight on October 26, 2020.
"Taking into consideration the fact that this court has already granted bail to the other co-accused, we are inclined to grant bail to the petitioner...The petitioner is directed to be released on bail in connection with FIR No... registered at P.S. Lonavala City, Pune Rural, to the satisfaction of the trial court," the bench said in its order on Monday.
The bench took note of the vehement opposition to the bail plea of the accused by the counsel representing the Maharashtra Police and the complainant and put additional conditions for grant of bail to the accused.
"However, in addition to the condition to be imposed by the said Court, we direct that the petitioner shall not enter the jurisdiction of the Additional Sessions Judge, Vadgaon, Maval, during the pendency of the trial, unless he is required to attend the concerned Court," the order said while disposing of the bail plea.
The Bombay High Court, on September 29, 2022, had dismissed the bail plea of Agarwal.
"In the totality of the circumstances, the element of criminal conspiracy to eliminate the deceased by hiring contract killers is prima facie made out. The Court cannot lose sight of the fact that the deceased was done to death in broad daylight.
"There is material to show that the deceased apprehended such an untoward occurrence and named the persons who were allegedly after him and, eventually, the worst fears came true," the high court had said.
It had said that the apprehension of the police that the accused may tamper with evidence, in general, and cause harm to the prosecution witnesses, in particular, cannot be said to be unfounded.
It was alleged Agarwal had inimical relations with the deceased on account of political rivalry.
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UDF to make comeback in Kerala after 10 years, edges out LDF: Exit Polls
Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is projected to return to power in Kerala after 10 years, ahead of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, according to different exit polls released on Wednesday evening.
Most surveys indicate a lead for the UDF over the LDF, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is expected to have limited presence in the Assembly with only a few seats projected.
According to Matrize, the UDF is likely to win between 70 and 75 seats, while the LDF is projected to secure 60 to 65 seats. The NDA is expected to get between 3 and 5 seats, as per the same survey.
People’s Pulse has projected a higher range for the UDF, estimating 75 to 85 seats, while the LDF is expected to get between 55 and 65 seats. The NDA is projected to win between 0 and 3 seats in this survey.
Axis My India has also forecast a clear lead for the UDF, projecting 78 to 90 seats for the alliance. The LDF is expected to win between 49 and 62 seats, while the NDA is again projected to remain within the 0 to 3 seat range.
Another projection by Vote Vibe estimates the UDF to win between 70 and 80 seats, while the LDF could secure 58 to 68 seats. Others are expected to get between 0 and 4 seats.
P-MARQ, in its survey for the 140-member Assembly, has predicted 72 to 79 seats for the UDF and 62 to 69 seats for the LDF, with around 3 seats going to others.
According to CNN-18, the UDF is projected to win between 70 and 80 seats, while the LDF may secure 58 to 68 seats. The NDA is expected to get between 0 and 4 seats.
NDTV has predicted 75 to 85 seats for the UDF and 55 to 65 seats for the LDF, while the NDA is expected to secure between 0 and 3 seats.
Meanwhile, today’s Chanakya has projected 72 to 80 seats for the UDF and 60 to 65 seats for the LDF, while the NDA is expected to get between 3 and 7 seats.
Kerala went to polls on April 9, and the counting of votes will take place on May 4.
