In a significant ruling, the court upheld the convictions of Rajesh Devadiga alias Raja (42) and Jagadish alias Jaggu (45) in an attempted murder case, despite witnesses turning hostile. The court relied heavily on CCTV footage and forensic evidence presented by the prosecution.
Rajesh, from Janata Colony in Suratkal Idya village, and Jagadish, from Tokur Shediguri village in Jokatte, were sentenced based on strong evidence. Rajesh and the complainant, Jeevan Mascarenhas (28) from Idya Janata Colony, had a history of conflict dating back to an assault case in 2016. Tensions escalated on December 14, 2019, when Rajesh and Jagadish attacked Jeevan with a machete at a bar in Idya, injuring his shoulder and right hand.
PSI Sundari filed the chargesheet and provided crucial CCTV footage from the bar. Despite presenting 31 witnesses and 58 pieces of evidence, many witnesses turned hostile during the trial. However, Judge Mallikarjuna Swamy of the first additional district and sessions court found the CCTV footage and forensic evidence compelling. Rajesh was sentenced to 323 days of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000, while Jagadish received a sentence of 39 days of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000.
The prison sentences were waived as both convicts had already spent more time in custody as undertrials than their actual sentences. The prosecution was led by Judith Olga Margaret Crasta.