Udupi, Karnataka: Civil decency activist Mahesh Shetty Timarodi, arrested in connection with alleged derogatory statements against BJP National General Secretary B.L. Santosh, was produced before the Udupi court today. The court, led by the Additional Civil Judge and First Class Judicial Magistrate, granted two-hour police custody and issued a stern reprimand to the investigating officers.
Judge questions delay in custody request
Timarodi was brought to court at 1.30 pm by a police team led by Investigating Officer and Brahmavar Police Sub-Inspector Ashok Malabagi. The police sought custody for further investigation. However, the judge questioned why the application for police custody had not been made earlier in the day.
“Why was he not sought for police custody earlier? If he had been required for custody, he should have been produced in the morning,” the judge remarked, expressing displeasure at the delay.
Strict time limit for investigation
The court ordered that Timarodi be remanded to police custody for only two hours and instructed that all necessary recovery procedures be completed within that period. He is to be produced before the court again at 3.40 pm.
Ongoing legal proceedings
The case continues to draw significant attention in Udupi and neighbouring districts, with legal experts anticipating further developments as the investigation progresses. The bail application hearing is also under consideration in the same court.
Conclusion
With the judge’s reprimand and the short custody period, the focus now shifts to how the investigation will proceed and whether further custodial requests will be made.