Barkane firing: Horale Saroja gets imprisonment

Convict claims innocent; expresses concern over sons future

As many as eight cases were booked against Saroja, from Kabbinakumbri near yadagunda in Koppa taluk for being connected with the naxal activities. She was convicted in the eighth case for which Judge A B Vastramat pronounced the above said punishment.

Saroja, who was in Mysore Jail, was brought under tight security to the court.
The Judge took the Court by surprise by asking the accused Saroja: “What should I do? Do I give you three year imprisonment or Six years? You tell me.”

Looking at the five-year-old son of Saroja, who had accompanied her, the Judge expressed concern and said: “You say you live in forests. What kind of life is it? Why can you not think of giving a better life to this kid? Try to be a good citizen and lead a dignified life. You have been facing trial since so many years. Did anybody come to your rescue?”

The Judge went on say that if at all she continues to be in any naxal activities in future she will meet her end soon in the hands of the police. “Think of your son and reform yourself,” the Judge said.

Background

On October 11, 2004 Sringeri CPI Sanjeeva Nayak and team had come face to face with the naxalites when the naxalites were reportedly were undergoing armed training in using grenades, detonators, bombs and other explosives in Barkane forest limits.
However, the naxalites under the leadership of B G Krishnamurthy, Mundagaru Latha and Hosagadde Prabha had ambushed the police and fled the scene. In this case the Sringeri Police had booked Horale Saroja as the 6th accused.

Saroja has already spent two and half years in jail, due to this Saroja need not undergo further imprisonment. However, since there are four cases pending against her at Kundapur Court, the police took her to Mysore jail under tight security. Saroja’s husband Suresh Naik, who has also been identified in naxal movements has been acquitted in two cases. One case is pending against him in Shimoga Court.

Responding to Deccan Herald on the verdict, Saroja said that she is innocent and the police have made baseless allegations against her.

“I have already spent two tumultuous years in jail. I am only worried about over my son’s future,” she said with moist eyes.