Vijayanand Kashappanavar, the Hungund MLA accused of assaulting two police constables at a bar in UB City here recently, presented himself before the Central Crime Branch (CCB) officials on Monday.
Ravi Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Police (CCB), had issued a notice to the MLA on Sunday. A special team grilled him for over five hours.
CCB sleuths had prepared a list of over 80 questions for Mr. Kashappanavar. Sources in the CCB said the legislator claimed to have not assaulted the constables and also to have left the premises at midnight. He reportedly denied any involvement in the brawl at the bar. However, in his earlier statements to the media, he had said that there was an altercation with the constables when they were seen recording a video of him.
The sources said that the MLA was also questioned about his links with Somashekar Gowda, who is also involved in the case and is absconding. The sources said Mr. Kashappanavar had revealed that Gowda was an acquaintance and he was surprised to see him at the birthday party as he [Gowda] had not been invited.
A senior CCB official said that there were many inconsistencies in Mr. Kashappanavar’s statements.
Digital evidence
The city police confiscated the mobile phone of constable Kiran Kumar, who recorded the incident at the bar, and the footage recorded by CCTV cameras in the bar and in the lobbies. The digital evidence has been sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory, Ahmedabad.
Adjourned
Meanwhile, the sessions court here adjourned the hearing on the anticipatory bail application of Mr. Kashappanavar and Somashekar Gowda till Tuesday.
(The Hindu)
