Adding a new twist to the unsolved mystery behind the death of his wife, Bhat had filed a self petition on August 1 in Udupi First Division Court alleging that she had an illegitimate relationship with Atul. He had stated that Atul should be detained on charges under IPC Sections 306, 497 and 498, and an inquiry initiated.
Atul, in a press release, stated that the final chargesheet filed by CoD had discharged him from the charges under Sections 407, 465, 468 and 479, that is kidnapping and subsequent abetment to suicide. He said nowhere in the course of the inquiry has he accepted any allegations against him, as claimed by Bhat in his statement. He added that he has never visited any lodge, including Prashanth Lodge in Karkala, as accused by Bhat in his petition.
He said that Bhat, being an MLA from the ruling party BJP, had every chance of influencing the CoD, the latter being under the jurisdiction of the State government. He also charged that Bhat filed the self petition deliberately to mislead the case.
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