Belagavi
The Belagavi Bar Association has condemned two recent violent incidents targeting members of the legal community in Belagavi district, the brutal murder of Advocate Santosh Ashok Patil and the assault on Advocate C.B. Giddanavar.
The association has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, urging immediate and stringent action against those responsible.
According to the memorandum, Advocate Santosh Ashok Patil, a resident of Savasuddi in Raibag taluk, was murdered in cold blood on April 29, 2025, an incident that has sent shockwaves through the legal fraternity. In a separate case, Advocate C.B. Giddanavar was reportedly attacked in Gokak on June 17, 2025, further raising alarm among legal professionals.
The association submitted the memorandum through the Deputy Commissioner of Belagavi, calling on the state government to instruct the Superintendent of Police to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into both incidents and ensure that the accused face the full force of the law.
"The legal fraternity is built on the principles of justice and service. Any attack on its members undermines the very foundation of our justice system," said Advocate S.S. Kivadasannavar, President of the Belagavi Bar Association.
The association expressed solidarity with the family of the late Advocate Santosh Patil and extended moral support to Advocate Giddanavar. The memorandum underscores the urgent need to safeguard legal professionals and urges the government to implement preventive measures to avoid such attacks in the future.
Members of the association, including advocates Basavaraj Mugali, Sheetal Ramshetty, Yallappa Divate, Vishwanath Sultanpuri, Sumitkumar Agasagi, Iranna Pujer, Vinayak Ninganure, Suresh Naganuri, Anil Patil, and Ashwini Havaldar, participated in the protest along with several others.