Atul Rao, accused in the 15-year-old case involving the disappearance and alleged suicide of Padmapriya, wife of former MLA K Raghupati Bhat, has been acquitted by the district’s second additional court on Wednesday.
Padmapriya went missing from her residence in Karamballi on June 10, 2008. Subsequently, a case was filed at the Manipal police station on June 19, 2008, alleging that Atul Rao, a childhood friend of Raghupati Bhat, was involved in cheating and forging documents related to the case.
Initially, after an inquiry conducted by COD officials, a chargesheet was filed in court. The Udupi CJM court later sentenced Atul Rao to one year of imprisonment on November 10, 2023. However, Atul Rao appealed against this decision in the district court.
Following the appeal, Justice Dinesh Hegde presided over the case and eventually acquitted Atul Rao of all charges. The acquittal marks a significant development in a case that has spanned over a decade and garnered considerable attention in the region.
Legal Proceedings:
Arun Bangera and Steevan Lewis represented Atul Rao in the proceedings, arguing for his innocence.