Udupi court grants bail to activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Aug 24, 2025: A magistrate court in Udupi on Saturday granted bail to activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, who was arrested on August 21 for allegedly making derogatory remarks against BJP national general secretary B.L. Santosh.

The bail was granted by First Additional Civil Judge and JMFC N.A. Nagesh, who directed Mr. Thimarody not to repeat the offence and not to threaten prosecution witnesses.

Following his release, Mr. Thimarody told reporters that he was unaware of the arrest of a complainant witness in the Dharmasthala mass burial case. He also declined to comment on the contradictory statements made by Sujatha Bhat regarding the disappearance of her daughter Ananya Bhat in 2003. He, however, reiterated his commitment to pursuing justice in the 2013 rape and murder case of Soujanya.

Mr. Thimarody was produced before the court on Saturday morning. The bail plea was heard in the afternoon and subsequently allowed.

According to the complaint lodged with Brahmavar police by Rajiv Kumar, president of Udupi Rural BJP Mandal, Mr. Thimarody made personal and defamatory remarks against Mr. Santosh during an interview with the YouTube channel Kudla Rampage. Police said he was arrested after failing to appear before the investigating officer despite two notices.

Meanwhile, three of Mr. Thimarody’s supporters have also been booked for allegedly obstructing police vehicles while he was being taken from Ujire to Brahmavar.