Four persons from Sullia, who have received notices from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the Gauri Lankesh murder case, have filed pleas for anticipatory bail before a district sessions court here.
Mohan, Yatish M., Yatheen B., and Kumudaksha filed applications under Section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code on August 7. The First Additional District and Sessions Court is hearing their pleas.
According to S.P. Chengappa, counsel for the applicants, the four received notices from the SIT on July 27, asking them to appear before it for questioning in Bengaluru. “As they fear arrest, they have filed for anticipatory bail,” he said.
The public prosecutor contended that the applicants cannot file for anticipatory bail in Mangaluru for a case registered in Bengaluru. He also contended they cannot get anticipatory bail as provisions of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act have been invoked against them. The court heard the arguments of both sides on Saturday and posted the matter for order on September 20.
The SIT notices followed the arrest of Mohan Nayak, 50, a native of Sullia, in Kumbalgodu of Benglauru in July. Nayak was accused of providing shelter to the killers of the journalist.
