Gauri Lankesh murder case: Lankesh murder accused are taking magistrates to court
Bengaluru: The legal team defending the main accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case seem to be preparing for a long, protracted battle. They have filed a petition against four magistrates of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) courts who presided over the proceedings of the cases and alleged lapses on their part in following the Supreme Court guidelines. They have been accused of dereliction of duty and acting with a strong bias against their clients, mainly Amol Kale, Suchith Kumar, Amit Degwekar and Manohar Edave – who are among the main suspects arrested in connection with plotting and executing Gauri Lankesh’s murder. These men are also implicated for the foiled murder attempt on KS Bhagwan, a Kannada writer. The high court is expected to take up the matter for hearing on Monday.
This petition comes after the one filed in the high court alleging police torture.
“As per the apex court guidelines, if the accused say before the court that he was ill-treated and assaulted by the police after his arrest, then there are specific procedures that need to be followed to ensure basic justice. We had earlier written to the registrar general of the high court demanding departmental action against these magistrates,” said NP Amruthesh, HC lawyer representing the petitioners.
The four magistrates mentioned by name in the petition are – Somasekhara, presiding officer of Vth ACMM court, V Prakash, presiding officer of III ACMM court, Jagadessh, presiding officer of Ist ACMM court and Mala, presiding officer of 44th ACMM court. The petitioners have claimed that as per law, the magistrates should have referred their clients to the district medical officer for physical examination and medical treatment since they had alleged physical torture before them in open court. However, Amruthesh has alleged that these magistrates did not record it in the order in violation of their official responsibility. The writ petition was filed on June 22.
“The writ petitions have been filed and it is under the scrutiny of the High Court at the moment,” said Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, President, Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, which is representing the accused.
Apart from the four magistrates, the registrar general of the high court, state government, state and national human rights commissions have also been made respondents in the petition. Sources connected with the case pointed out that the petition could adversely affect the judicial officers as its final outcome might have a direct bearing on their promotion and career records apart from prolonging the
judicial process in the murder case.
Amol Kale, one of the main accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case who is being projected as the mastermind, told the court last month that he was physically assaulted by the SIT members. Similar allegations have also been made against the Cottonpet police where the KS Bhagwan case was being investigated. Sources also pointed out that more writ petitions are expected in the coming days against the SIT and the concerned officials as Suresh Kumal L (36), another key accused in the Gauri case, had alleged before the court last week that he was also slapped and assaulted by the SIT officials.
courtesy : bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com
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Saif Ali Khan’s attacker allegedly let in by house help, Police investigate
Mumbai: Mumbai Police suspect that the attacker who stabbed actor Saif Ali Khan six times during an alleged burglary attempt was let into his Bandra residence by one of his house helps. The house help is currently under scrutiny as police investigate the incident. The 54-year-old actor, who sustained injuries, including one near his spine, has undergone surgery at Lilavati Hospital and is reportedly out of danger.
The attack occurred late at night, and preliminary investigations suggest the assailant may have entered the premises hours earlier and waited for an opportunity to strike. CCTV footage from the residence did not capture any recent entry, strengthening the suspicion that the attacker was assisted by someone inside.
Police reported that the incident began as a scuffle during the burglary attempt. “An unidentified person intruded into the residence of Actor Saif Ali Khan. The actor and the intruder had a scuffle. The actor is injured and is being treated. Investigation is ongoing,” officials said.
The attack has raised questions about security in Mumbai’s high-profile areas. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the state government, highlighting similar incidents such as the murder of Baba Siddique and the firing outside Salman Khan’s residence. “If celebrities in Bandra are not safe, who in Mumbai is? This is a serious failure of law and order,” she said.
Actor Pooja Bhatt also expressed concerns, urging authorities to address the issue urgently. “Can this lawlessness please be curbed? Bandra has never felt so unsafe before,” she tweeted, tagging Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior officials.
Police are now focused on identifying the attacker, who fled the scene, and examining the possible role of the house help in the incident.
