The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing the murder of scholar M.M. Kalburgi, turned their investigations into possible issues in his professional life They questioned Assistant Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture Vidyavati Bhajantri, and a self-styled pro-Kannada activist in Belagavi, Anant Byakod, on Friday.
However, there was no breakthrough. “Not all those we have questioned are suspects,” an official said.
According to information available, Ms. Vidyavati, who is also member secretary of the Betageri Krishna Sharma Trust, was taken to Kittur on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway 4, where she was questioned for about 30 minutes.
Speaking to presspersons later, Ms. Vidyavati said she was questioned about the rapport she had with the writer when he was heading the Basavaraj Kattimani Praitshthana, when she was member secretary. They also asked her about the activities of the Basavaraj Kattimani Pratishtana and the Betageri Krishan Sharma Trust. She told them that she had shared a cordial relationship with Prof. Kalburgi when he headed the foundation.
The CID are also looking into the circumstances that led to Prof. Kalburgi speaking about demitting office as the foundation’s chairman even before his tenure of three years were up.
There were also reports about the CID questioning Belagavi district president of Jai Karnataka Sanghatane, Anant Byakod, who had previously taken part in agitations against Prof. Kalburgi. Sources said the questioning took place on the basis of an audio clip related to Mr. Byakod and Ms. Vidyavati, which was being circulated through social media.
In Dharwad, the CID collected more footage from a CCTV installed at a house on Barakotri Road that leads to Prof. Kalburgi’s residence in Kalyan Nagar. Officials also visited an apartment opposite Prof. Kalburgi’s house, and questioned the family. The balconies of some of the houses face the Kalburgi house and the police are hoping that someone noticed the assailants.
