Illegal mining case witness savagely attacked

• MLC visits the vicitims
• Accused absconding

Kundapur: Janardhan Nayak, a witness in the illegal mining case here, and his companion Badia Handa were severely assaulted by Vijaya Shetty, an accused in the very same case.  The incident happened at Heranjalu, Kalthodu, Byndoor.

in October, 2017, Janardhan, who works as the post master in Kalthondu post office had testified regarding a complaint registered with Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) against illegal mining by Vijaya Shetty in Kalthondu. Consequently, Vijay Shetty had allegedly given death threats to Nayak in this connection.

The witness had submitted a voice recording of the threats to concerned officials, but the investigation has been painstakingly slow.

ACB officials from Bengaluru had arrived four days ago to hold investigation at Hosakote. Badia Handa who was present was asked to testify. At that juncture, there were heated arguments between accused Vijaya Shetty, his group of supporters, and Janardhan Nayak.

Ironically, on Sunday, Vijay Shetty had complained that there are life threats from Janardhan Nayak. Therefore, police called Janardhan Nayak to police station. The duo were on their way to the police station in an auto riksha on Monday afternoon at 3 pm when the group led by Vijaya Shetty and three others assaulted them savagely. The attack resulted in Nayak suffering a deep wound on his head and Badia Handa’s hand was fractured. Both of them are admitted into a private hospital here.

Byndoor police have registered a case in this regard after the news of the assault started getting strong reactions in social media. Vijayt Shetty is absconding.

MLC visits the victims

Member of legislative council and leader of the opposition in the council, Kota Srinivas Poojary, visited the victims of assault and pacified them. He has urged for immediate arrest and action against the accused. The MLC also spoke with the doctors who assured him that there was no need for anxiety.

Janardhan Nayak said that the two of them were assaulted as they are witnesses against taluk panchayat member Vijay Shetty in a complaint to ACB. His wife said that he is assaulted due to campaign in favour of BJP.

“Politics should be set aside and the suspects should be arrested on charges of attempt to murder failing which I will meet the home minister. Assault on BJP activists in condemnable,” said Mr. Kota.