Judicial remand of Atul Rao extended till July 23

Udupi, Karnataka, Jul 9 (UNI) The judicial remand of Atul Rao, the main accused in the Udupi BJP MLA K Raghupathy Bhat wife Padmapriya Suicide Case, was today further extended till July 23 by the JMF Court here.

Principal Civil Judge (Sr Division) and Chief Judicial Magistrate A M Ramachandraiah ordered the extension of judicial remand till June 23 after the expiry of the custody today.

As Atul was admitted to Government Wenlock Hospital at Mangalore, his lawyer Naushad appeared before the court on behalf of the accused.

Meanwhile, Atul Rao's wife Meera Rao alleged she and her whole family were subjected to mental agony by Mr Bhat even as the matter was in the court.

''We had not known enemies so far, but now we need protection for the entire family since it is unfortunate that the supporters of Mr Bhat are taking law into their hands as the court proceedings related to Padmapriya's case are underway,'' she alleged.

She also pointed out to the alleged role Mr Bhat's supporters exerting pressure on the doctors at two well known private hospitals to deny Atul the best medical care during his acute bout of asthma.

It was a tragedy she had to appeal to the court seeking adequate health care for her husband, she added.

UNI MA SIV RL HT1540