Honnavar: He is aware that no investigation can bring back his 18- year- old son, but Paresh Mesta's father, Kamalakar Mesta, who is convinced he was murdered, wants those responsible to be thrown in prison and awarded the most severe punishment by the courts.
"It is good that the government has decided to hand over the case to the CBI as I have no faith in the local police. Only severe punishment of those responsible for my son's murder will give his soul peace," Mr Kamalakar said speaking to the Deccan Chronicle.
"I know that my son was murdered. But the postmortem report calls it a natural death. I saw my son's body and it was evident he was killed. I was deeply hurt by the postmortem report provided by the police. And so have decided to return the compensation money given to me by Minister R V Deshpande. I don't want it, I want justice," he declared emotionally.
But he says he has no clue why his son could have been murdered as he was not part of any organisation or party. "My son was neither with the BJP nor any saffron outfit. He was just 18- years -old and ran a small fish business. I don't know the reason why he was killed. But I have lost my child," he added sorrowfully.
Recalling the events of December 6, he said Paresh had gone to the Shanaishara temple as he wanted to visit Sabarimala. "It was when I returned home from work that day that I came to know there had been a communal clash. When Paresh did not return from the temple we searched for him in vain. Two days later we found his body in a lake. He was not involved in any communal clash. He was a victim of it. I am sure he was killed after the violence in Honnavar. We have named the suspects and filed the FIR," he said.
Accusing the state government of not taking the matter seriously, he claimed it was trying to hush it up. " But I have lost my son. I want justice," he isisted.
Eighteen- year- old Paresh Mesta belonged to the fishermen's community and lived in Tulasi Nagar, Honnavar Taluk. He went missing on December 6 after a communal clash in Honnavar town.
His family claims he was murdered and saffron outfits allege "jihadis" are responsible. Besides, Honnavar, Sirsi and Kumta in Uttara Kannada district had witnessed violence after his death.
