In a significant development, the High Court has ruled against granting bail to three individuals accused in the murder case of BJP activist Praveen Nettaru. Justice H.B., presiding over the case, rejected the criminal appeal filed by the accused, namely K. Ismail Shafi, K. Mohammed Iqbal, and M. Shaheed, who were seeking bail in connection with the case. This decision follows a division bench comprising Prabhakar Shastri and Anil K. Katti.
The court justified its decision by pointing out that there is substantial evidence implicating the appellant-accused in the murder conspiracy. Although the three accused were not physically present at the scene when Praveen Nettaru was attacked, it was revealed that they actively participated in a conspiracy meeting where the plan to eliminate Nettaru was discussed. The court emphasized that conspiracy does not require overt actions and stated that statements made by the accused and witness testimonies provided substantial evidence of their involvement.
The murder case in question revolves around Praveen Nettaru, a member of the BJP Yuva Morcha’s executive committee in Dakshina Kannada district. Tragically, he was attacked and fatally injured on the night of June 26, 2022, while traveling in his vehicle in Bellare village of Sulya taluk. Despite efforts to save him, Praveen Nettaru succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.
The case had been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) by the central government on August 3, 2022. Following thorough investigation, the NIA arrested the appellant-accused, leading to their appeal for bail in the High Court. The trial of the accused is currently ongoing in a special NIA court.
