Dharmasthala case: SIT produces Pradeep before court to record his statement

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) produced Pradeep, a close associate of Sowjanya's uncle Vittal Gowda before the JMFC court in Belthangady on Friday to record his statement before the judge.

SIT sources clarified that he was produced only for recording the statement and not for arrest purposes. "Pradeep will not be treated as a complainant witness in the case. He was produced before the court solely for recording the statement. There is no arrest at this stage,” sources added.

His statement was recorded for two hours before the judge.

Earlier in the day, the SIT interrogated Pradeep, a resident of Bantwal. Pradeep is close associate of Vittal Gowda, who was earlier questioned on suspicion of involvement in the skull case initially presented before the court by the complainant witness.

Meanwhile, the order on the bail application of the complainant witness has been posted for September 16.

The complainant witness was arrested by the SIT on August 22. Mahazars were conducted in Belthangady, Bengaluru and other locations in his presence. On September 6, the JMFC court in Belthangady remanded him in judicial custody, following which he was lodged in Shivamogga jail.

His bail application was heard on Friday. After the hearing, Judge Vijayendra TH reserved the order for September 16.