5 acquitted in vehicle theft case

The accused Kammaradi Hanif, Navule Ananda of Shimoga, Chandra, Siddaraju and Sadiq were arrested on August 23, 2007 as they were moving suspiciously near a bar and restaurant in Karkala.

The accused were charged with offences of stealing Toyota Innova, Honda City and attempting to rob a jeweller using sword and chilly powder.

It was also alleged in the charge sheet that the accused had assaulted a constable of rural police station then. The constable was reportedly injured seriously.

Kammaradi Hanif is the main accused in the murder case of Thirthahalli Taluk Panchayat Vice-President Hosalli Venkatesh. The Shimoga Fast Track Court had sentenced him to life imprisonment in the case.

Another accused Navule Ananda is the nephew of Venkatesh Murthy, who levelled sexual abuse charges against former Minister Halappa. Ananda is also an accused in a murder case, where one Saifulla was killed.

Udupi Fast Track Court Judge S L Patel delivered the verdict. Advocate Ravikiran Murdeshwar had argued for the accused.