Funeral violence: All accused including ‘absconding’ saffron leaders get bail

Mangaluru, Jul 26: A local court has granted bail to all accused in connection with the stone-pelting that led to chaos in BC Road during the funeral procession of slain RSS activist Sharath Madivala earlier this month.

Those who secured bail through district and sessions court on Wednesday include five hardline Hindutva leaders from the region who had gone absconding after the Dakshina Kannada district police authorities slapped cases against them for their alleged involvement in the incident.

The leaders Satyajit Surathkal, BJP backward class morcha state secretary, Sharan Pumpwell, Bajarang Dal state convener, Pradeep Pumpwell, Bajrang Dal leader, Harish Poonja, president of Dakshina Kannada district unit of BJP Yuva Morcha, Muralikrishna Hasantadka, Dakshina Pranta Goraksha Pramukh, were accused of conspiring in the stone throwing during the procession on July 8. They had applied for anticipatory bail under section 438 of the CrPC.

In all, 17 persons, arrested by Bantwal town police personnel following stone throwing, had filed bail application under section 439 of CrPC.

The fourth additional district and sessions judge Nerale Veerabhadraiah Bhavani heard the anticipatory and regular bail applications. In his order, allowing anticipatory bail, judge said absconding leaders shall be released on personal bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties, one of whom has to be their parents, sibling or spouse.

The five have been asked to appear before the investigating officer within next seven days. They have also been asked to regularly appear before Bantwal town police twice every week till filing of the charge sheet.

They judge directed them to obtain regular bail from additional civil judge and JMFC court within the next 14 days. Among other conditions imposed on them, includes bar on their entry in to Bantwal without express permission of the local magistrate.

This ban will not apply on them for their court and police station appearances. The judge directed these leaders not to intimidate any witnesses and get involved in any crime. The judge warned that if any of the bail conditions are violated, then their bail will be cancelled on an application from investigation officer. The court also imposed similar conditions while granting bail to 17 persons and warned their bail will be cancelled if they violate any of the conditions laid down.

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