Bantwal: The Bantwal court has remanded Chethan, the prime accused in the murder of a young woman, Lavanya, at the BC Road KSRTC bus stand, to judicial custody after the completion of his police custody and initial phase of the investigation.
The accused, who had been arrested after allegedly absconding following the murder, was produced before the court after investigating officers completed several key procedures, including a spot inspection and evidence collection. The court, after examining the case records, ordered that he be lodged in judicial custody while the investigation continues.
Accused was hospitalised after consuming poison
According to police, Chethan had allegedly absconded after the murder incident. During this period, he reportedly consumed a poisonous substance and fell ill.
He was admitted to Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru for treatment, where he remained under medical care. After doctors certified that his condition was stable and granted permission, personnel from the Bantwal City Police Station took him into custody.
The accused was subsequently produced before the jurisdictional court, where police sought his custody to facilitate further investigation into the case.
Police custody granted for investigation
The court had earlier granted police custody after investigators informed it that further custodial interrogation was required to gather additional evidence.
During the custody period, investigating officers questioned the accused and carried out various investigative procedures connected to the case.
As part of the probe, the police escorted Chethan to the crime scene at the BC Road KSRTC bus stand, where they conducted a spot inspection and reconstructed certain aspects of the incident.
Officials also collected additional information and evidence believed to be relevant to the ongoing investigation.
Investigation gathers key evidence
Police said the investigation involved completing several legal formalities and collecting material evidence related to the murder.
The investigating team reportedly examined various aspects of the case, including circumstances surrounding the incident, and documented relevant findings during the course of the inquiry.
Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the evidence collected, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Police sources said all necessary legal procedures required during the period of police custody were completed before the accused was produced before the court again.
Court orders judicial custody
After the expiry of the police custody period, Chethan was once again produced before the Bantwal court.
Following a review of the investigation records and other case documents submitted by the investigating officers, the court ordered that the accused be remanded to judicial custody.
The order means that Chethan will remain in judicial custody while the police continue with the remaining stages of the investigation.
Further probe continues
Police officials said the investigation into Lavanya’s murder is still underway and that additional legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the course of the inquiry.
Investigators are expected to continue examining all aspects of the case before filing further reports before the court in accordance with legal procedure.
The murder of Lavanya at the BC Road KSRTC bus stand had drawn widespread attention in the region, prompting an intensive investigation by the Bantwal City Police. With the accused now in judicial custody, the focus of the investigation will remain on completing the probe and ensuring that all evidence is placed before the court as the case progresses through the judicial process.