CHIKKABALLAPUR: Sidlaghatta Congress leader Rajeev Gowda, who had threatened municipal commissioner Amrutha Gowda, was produced before the Sidlaghatta JMFC court on Tuesday after his arrest and medical examination. The police sought five-day custody, but the court rejected the request and sent him to 14-day judicial custody.
Rajeev Gowda was arrested by the police from Kerala on Monday evening while trying to flee to Tamil Nadu. He was hiding in a guest house in Kerala, using a car belonging to Mangaluru-based businessman Michael. The police had been tracking Rajeev Gowda for 13 days, and he was arrested in a dramatic operation.
Rajeev Gowda’s lawyer had filed two bail applications, one for interim bail and another for regular bail. The court rejected the interim bail application and asked the public prosecutor to file objections to the regular bail application by Wednesday.
The prosecution argued that Rajeev Gowda was a threat to the complainant and witnesses, and that he should be kept in custody. Rajeev Gowda’s lawyer argued that the charges against him were bailable and that he was willing to cooperate with the investigation. The court will hear the regular bail application on Wednesday.
Rajeev Gowda was taken to Chintamani jail, and his supporters staged a protest outside the court, shouting slogans in his support. The police used batons to disperse the crowd and clear the road. Rajeev Gowda said that he would answer all questions outside the court on Wednesday and that he had the support of the people of Sidlaghatta.
Earlier, the police seized the Maruti Brezza (KA-03 MX-9108) in which the Congress leader was planning to flee to Tamil Nadu and he was interrogated at the Chikkaballapura Police Guest House. The police are also investigating his connections with businessman Michael, who has also been taken into custody.
After interrogation, he underwent a medical examination and then produced before the Shidlaghatta JMFC court. The police have also taken his voice sample as part of the investigation. The police had deployed heavy security in Shidlaghatta, with over 100 personnel and four DAR vans stationed outside the court and police station.
Rajeev Gowda’s wife, Sahana, and relatives were also present at the police station, but did not commenting on the issue. Rajeev Gowda himself said that he has respect for the law and will speak after being released.
The police are also investigating a case of threats made by Rajeev Gowda to the Shidlaghatta Municipal Commissioner, Amrutha Gowda. The municipal administration department has asked Amruta Gowda to provide information about the case.
