Arrested Kannada journalist found hanging in jail temple; family suspects murder

Agencies
October 17, 2019

Bengaluru, Oct 17: A Kannada journalist who was in judicial custody in Central Jail, Parappana Agrahara for allegedly raping a woman on the pretext of marrying her was found hanging from the ceiling of the temple inside the prison.

Anil Raj, 55, a resident of Yelahanka and an undertrial, committed suicide around 7.30pm, police said. Raj was editor and publisher of Kannada tabloid 'Yelahanka Voice'. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

 "The temple is located in the middle of the barracks filled with undertrials. Other prisoners had seen Raj sitting in the verandah of the temple around 5pm. Raj used a small rope he had taken from the stores to hang himself. The inmates saw him hanging around 7.45pm and alerted prison officials. Raj was dead by the time he was brought down," prison officials said.

However, family members have alleged of foul play claiming that they have met him hours before the incident and the victim was not in a state to commit suicide.Family members demanded investigation in the incident alleging it to be a case of murder.

 In June 2017, Raj was sentenced to one-year imprisonment for breach of privilege by then Karnataka legislative assembly.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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