Accused in BJP activist Vinay Somaiah suicide case records statement with Hennur police

MADIKERI: Congress leader Tennira Maina, the main accused in the suicide of BJP activist Vinay Somaiah, recorded his statement before the Hennur police in Bengaluru on Sunday. Maina had been served two notices earlier.

Vinay Somaiah had accused Kodagu MLA Manthar Gowda, Virajpet MLA A S Ponnanna and Tennira Maina of harassment by filing a politically motivated FIR against him, in his death note.

Tennira Maina told the police that he had no connection with Vinay’s suicide and added that they had no personal rivalry. He said that Vinay Somaiah was the administrator of a WhatsApp group in which derogatory messages against MLA A S Ponnanna were shared. Hence, he had lodged a complaint with the Madikeri police against Vinay and three others following which they were questioned, he told the Hennur police.

Meanwhile, the Hennur police are also preparing to issue notices to MLAs Manthar Gowda and A S Ponnanna in the case. All the three have already secured anticipatory bail in the case and have claimed that they are not linked to the case.