Fourth anniversary of the Vinayaka Baliga Murder; family still waits for justice

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 21, 2020: On 21st March, 2020 it would be four years since the brutal murder of RTI activist Vinayak  Baliga and as usual a march had been planned from the Car street Venkatramana temple to the spot where he was murdered. However, due to imposition of section 144 and the corona virus threat police permission had been denied. When this was brought to the attention of his sisters, they decided to go ahead with their plans for the day of the murder of their beloved brother. With great faith in their family deity they prayed at the door of the Venkatramana temple at Car street and decided to march with the banner without any need for others. Marching through the streets they attracted the attention of all. They wondered at the sight of three ladies walking with a banner demanding justice for their brother.

This was followed by a meeting of their supporters which included Raghu Ekkar president of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, Munir Katipalla state president of DYFI, Vasudev Uchil of Samudaya. Senior advocates K.P.Vasudev Rao and Asha Nayak were also present.

The trial of the accused has been delayed due to various factors mainly being the accused no1 Naresh Shenoy having brought a stay on the appointment of the special public prosecutor Sri Ravindranath Kamath.  In the meanwhile accused no1 had also petitioned the Karnataka High Court for release of his passport as he planned to go abroad! This is pending before the court. Since the motive behind the Baliga murder  is said to be his questioning the accounts of the temple and math it is suspected that there is a deep conspiracy behind the crime. So, the need for a Special Investigation team to go into these has been felt and numerous requests have been made and a petition is also pending before the Karnataka  High Court. In the meanwhile the PP in charge of the case Smt.Judith had been also transferred.