Woman 'murder' case: Suresh approaches Karnataka HC, seeks compensation of Rs 5 crore

Mysuru: Kuruba Suresh, the man who served jail term over the alleged murder of his 'missing' wife has approached the High Court of Karnataka seeking compensation of Rs 5 crore for lapses in investigation in the case.

Advocate B S Pandu Poojari who appeared for Suresh in Fifth Additional District and Sessions Judge of Mysuru told this to media.

Even as Fifth Additional District and Sessions Judge of Mysuru gave verdict on April 23 acquitting Suresh in the case, the judge had directed to get the complaint registered at the District and Sessions Court, Mysuru, against one IO (who submitted the chargesheet to the court). Now Suresh has appealed the high court to book cases against four other IOs too in the case.

According to Advocate Pandu, Suresh has filed appeal against State of Karnataka and five IOs in the case. In his appeal, Suresh has prayed the court to call for entire records and modify the order by the Judge in Mysuru and pass the order to file a complaint against all five IOs for the offence punishable under section 229 and 231 of BNS 2023 (Old section 193 and 195 of IPC) and direct the Court in Mysuru to take cognizance of the offence committed by the IOs. He has also urged to remove the word accused about Suresh in the judgement and mention it as victim instead of accused.

Advocate K G Kumara appeared for Suresh, native of Basavanahalli tribal settlement colony of Kushalnagar taluk.

According to Suresh, Mallige went missing on October 20, 2020. He lodged a complaint with Kushalnagar police on November 13, 2020. Bettadapura Police, who found a skeleton on November 12, 2020, presumed it to be Mallige.

They picked him days before filing the FIR on July 18, 2021. He was forced to confess to the murder of his wife. They told him not to reveal this when he was produced before the Magistrate. He underwent imprisonment for more than two years until he got bail from the high court. DNA report of the skeleton (found by Bettadapura police) was inconclusive.

On April 1 this year, Mallige was found alive by a neighbour in Madikeri. She was produced before the court on April 4. Judge in Mysuru passed the order acquitting Suresh on April 23.