The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday made significant arrests in a high-profile case from Bengaluru, taking into custody the son and daughter of a late former Member of Parliament alongside a serving police officer. The arrests are linked to the suspicious death of a real estate agent back in 2019.
Key Arrests and Serious Charges
DA Srinivas and DA Kalpaja, children of the deceased former MP DK Adhikesavalu, were apprehended by the federal agency. They were arrested along with Deputy Superintendent of Police SY Mohan, who is currently attached to the State Human Rights Commission. The trio faces a slew of serious charges including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery of valuable security and government stamps, destruction of evidence, and creation of false evidence.
Later on Monday, the accused were produced before a special CBI court. The court remanded them to police custody for a period ranging from three to eight days. The court has directed the CBI to produce the accused again on December 29 for further proceedings.
The Core of the Case: A Realtor's Mysterious Death
The case revolves around the tragic and suspicious death of realtor K Raghunath in 2019. Raghunath, an associate of the late DK Adhikesavalu, was found hanging in the family's guest house near HAL in Bengaluru. Initially, the local police classified the incident as a suicide.
However, Raghunath's wife, Manjula, and son strongly alleged foul play. They claimed that Raghunath had been summoned by Srinivas and Kalpaja just two days before his death. The family's allegations pointed towards a deeper conspiracy, challenging the suicide narrative.
Property Dispute and Alleged Threats
The background of the case involves a major dispute over several valuable properties in Bengaluru. Following Adhikesavalu's death in April 2013, his children, Srinivas and Kalpaja, reportedly began pressuring Raghunath regarding these assets. They asserted that the properties were bought using funds from their father and demanded their return.
Raghunath and his family maintained a contrary stance, insisting that the properties were purchased with Raghunath's own money. In a crucial move before his death, Raghunath executed a will bequeathing the disputed properties to his wife, Manjula. He had also reportedly informed her that he feared for his life, indicating he felt threatened.
Long Legal Battle Leading to CBI Probe
Dissatisfied with the initial investigation, Manjula approached the Karnataka High Court. The court, noting serious flaws in the probe conducted by the local police, ordered the transfer of the case to the CBI in 2022.
The accused individuals challenged this order in the Supreme Court. The apex court initially granted a temporary stay on the High Court's directive, which paused the CBI's investigation. However, that stay has now been vacated. The Supreme Court has directed the CBI to continue its inquiry and submit a report, paving the way for the recent arrests.
The arrests mark a pivotal development in a case that has seen allegations of a cover-up, a prolonged legal fight by a grieving family, and serious questions about the role of a police officer attached to a human rights body. The CBI's investigation in the coming days is expected to uncover more details about the alleged conspiracy and the events leading to the realtor's death.
