BANGALORE: K.S. Venkatesh, Professor of Sanskrit at MES College here, on whose complaint the police booked a case of attempt to murder against Visvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, has now decided to file a criminal case against Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, the Pejawar Math head and Assistant Commissioner of Police Gangadhar Naik, who is the investigating officer, accusing them of hatching a conspiracy to hush up the incident.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Prof. Venkatesh alleged that the trio had brought "unlawful pressure" on him to withdraw the complaint.

He reiterated the charges that the investigating officer had illegally detained him and foisted false cases against him and members of his family. The criminal case as well as a defamation case would be filed against the three in a couple of days, he said.

Alleging that such a criminal conspiracy had slackened the process of investigation by the State police into his complaint, Prof. Venkatesh demanded that a Central Board of Investigation inquiry be ordered into the episode. He said he would file a writ petition before the court seeking a directive to the State Government to refer his complaint to the CBI.

`No progress'

He expressed concern that even after six months no progress had been achieved in the inquiry into his complaint against the religious leader. He alleged that the delay was due to the personal interest shown by Mr. Yediyurappa to bail out the Pejawar swamiji from the controversy.

Mr. Naik had illegally detained him the day after Mr. Yediyurappa publicly defended the religious leader, Prof. Venkatesh alleged.

Compensation

However, following a habeas corpus petition filed by his nephew, Srinidhi, the court had directed the Registrar (Vigilance) to conduct an inquiry into the illegal detention. After going through the Registrar's report, the court had directed the Government to pay compensation of Rs. 50,000 to Prof. Venkatesh and initiate action against Mr. Naik within four weeks. But the Government was yet to implement the court's order though the deadline had passed, he said, adding that he would file a separate petition before the court seeking the immediate implementation of its direction.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail