'Form special panel to probe Baliga murder case'

The family of Vinayak Baliga and Deshapremi Sanghatanegala Okkoota has urged the chief minister to form a special investigation committee to probe the murder of Vinayak Baliga.

Speaking at a programme organised by Deshapremi Sanghatanegala Okkoota to observe the second death anniversary of the murdered RTI activist Vinayaka Baliga, at CBEU Hall at Kodailbail here on Wednesday, social activist and rationalist Prof Narendra Nayak urged that the accused Hanumant Kamath, Mangalpadi Namdev Shenoy and Manju Neereshwalya should be probed in detail.

He accused a group of people of trying to control the entire GSB community, by illegally acquiring the administration of Sri Venkataramana Temple, Car Street and Sri Vithoba Rakumayi Temple.

"The main accused in the case, Naresh Shenoy, is now out on conditional bail. If the accused Naresh Shenoy is not the real culprit, why is he refusing to undergo narco-analysis test," asked Narendra.

The legal fight will continue till justice is obtained. The complainants have requested for the appointment of the special public prosecutor Ravindra Kamat in the court but the defendants have brought a stay on the same.

"Vinayak Baliga had questioned the irregularities of an apartment which did not have proper sewage connections, an educational institution, which had encroached the land and a temple administrative committee that indulged in irregularities in financial management," he said.

Activist Dr P V Bhandary expressed his concern on the murder of 63 RTO activists during last year. The murderers of Vinayak Baliga should be hanged to death. He sought to know why the Congress or the BJP are not concerned about the issue.

Manava Bandhutva Vedike state convener Wilfred D'Souza pointed out that a powerful act like RTI is being diluted by introducing a number of amendments. "Vinayak Baliga was part of the fight against corruption," he said.

Dalit leader Keshava Dharani, DSS state co-convener Devdas, Mysore University former Professor Panditaradhya H B and Vinayak Baliga's sister Asha Baliga, were present among others.

A protest rally was taken from Ventakaramana Temple to Vinayak Baliga's house prior to the formal programme.