Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the Bengaluru police to provide round-the-clock protection to N. Rakesh and his family till May 31. Rakesh is the original complainant in the voter ID scandal in the Rajarajeshwarinagar constituency during the state assembly elections in May 2018.
He had approached the court seeking directions to hand over the case investigation to the CBI, citing shortcomings in the probe by the city police.
The police had registered an FIR naming Rajarajesh warinagar MLA Munirathna after seizing 9,564 voter ID cards from an apartment at Jalahalli.
Rakesh had also filed a private complaint in the 24th Additional Chief Metropol—itan Magistrate (ACMM) court, after which the court directed Jalahalli police to include the name of the MLA in the case and investigate.
He had also sought directions to the city police commissioner to provide protection to him and his family, as well as witnesses in the case.
HC notice to JD(S) prez, others
The High Court ordered notices to Janata Dal (Secular) state president H. Vishwanath, the chief secretary, additional chief secretary (home department) and station house officer of Srirampuram police station. The court passed the orders following a petition filed by a woman, Sharadamma, who alleged that the police have not conducted the investigation properly into the death of her husband Krishnappa, who died while working on the construction of the JD(S) party building in Seshadripuram in May 2017.
Sharadamma, who suspected foul play, approached the court, seeking reinvestigation into his death.
