Three accused acquitted in journalist Hitendra Prasad murder case

Udupi, Nov 24: The Udupi District and Sessions Court on Monday acquitted the three accused in the murder case of journalist Hitendra Prasad that occurred ten years ago in Udupi.

The acquitted persons are Salim Ali alias Manchi Salim (31), from Alavoor, Ramesh alias Atte Ramesh (37) from Udupi Kolalagiri and Manikanta (32) from Kukkikatte, reportedly accomplices of rowdy Pitti Nagesh.

Editor of 'Hai Maruta' weekly paper Hitendra Prasad was brutally hacked with swords on the night of August 21 in 2006 near a bar in Manipal. Having nearly 50 wounds on his body, Hitendra's condition was critical and he died in the hospital on the same night.

According to the case that was registered after his death, Hitendra exposing rowdy Pitti Nagesh's illegal dealings and the journalist's friendship with the latter's rival Vinod Shettigar was the reason for his murder.

The then-circle inspector of Manipal Sanjeeva Naik had filed a chargesheet against the accused.

A total of 27 witnesses testified in the court in connection with the murder case. However, finding lack of definite evidence against the accused, the sessions judge Shivashankar Amarannanavar acquitted the three accused in the case.