Gauri Lankesh murder: Court posts KT Naveen Kumar's bail plea for orders on Monday

Bengaluru: The 70th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court on Friday posted the orders on a bail petition filed by K.T. Naveen Kumar, the first arrested accused in the murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, for Monday after hearing arguments and counter-arguments by the defence and prosecution advocates.

The court proceedings began in the absence of the new prosecutor who did not turn up for two consecutive hearings and the request for more time sought by DCP (Admin) M.N. Anucheth, who is the investigating officer in the case, was dismissed by the court. Naveen’s lawyer Vedamurthy requested the court to not grant more time as the bail petition was already pending before the court for 22 days even after written and oral arguments completed.

Mr Anucheth told the court that Naveen who initially agreed to undergo the narco-analysis test later refused after reaching Ahmedabad where the test was to be conducted. He submitted that the FSL scientist who interrogated Naveen at the COD headquarters also stated that many details hint at Naveen’s involvement in the murder and that granting him bail when half-a-dozen accused had been arrested would impede the investigation.

Justice Ramalinge Gowda termed the interrogation by the FSL scientist as a violation of fundamental right when Naveen’s lawyer Vedamurthy told the court that the interrogation was carried out when Naveen had no advocate.

Mr Vedamurthy submitted that the SIT did not inform him about the date of the narco-analysis test and took Naveen alone with them violating the court guidelines.

After listening to both the sides, Justice Ramalinge Gowda posted the orders on bail for Monday.

B3