HC grants conditional bail to Walikar

The Dharwad bench of the High Court, on Monday, granted conditional bail to H B Walikar, former vice-chancellor of Karnatak University, Dharwad.

Walikar was suspended by the Governor after being arrested by the Lokayukta police under the Prevention of Corruption Act a fortnight ago.

Justice H Billappa heard the case. The court instructed Walikar to furnish a bond of Rs three lakh with two sureties, to surrender his passport and not to leave the High Court bench jurisdiction till the Lokayukta inquiry is completed.

The court directed Walikar to compulsorily appear before the Lokayukta investigation officer from November 10 to 17 and extend total co-operation to the Lokayukta police.
Senior counsel V G Patil represented Walikar, while advocate Mallikarjun Hiremath argued in favour of the Lokayukta.

Walikar approached the High Court bench on Monday after the Lokayukta special court dismissed his bail plea application last week. Three others - H T Pote, S L Bilagi and Rajashri - who were arrested along with Walikar had got conditional bail earlier.

Walikar, who is facing charges of graft, was arrested by the Lokayukta police on October 20. However, as Walikar complained of respiratory problems soon after the arrest, the district hospital doctors had advised the Lokayukta police to admit him at KIMS in Hubli. After treatment at KIMS for over a week, the doctors attending on Walikar had advised the Lokayukta police last week to shift him to Jayadeva Hospital in Bangalore for advanced treatment. He is presently undergoing treatment there.