K'taka Govt asked to pay compensation

Bangalore, Apr 19 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today directed the State Government to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 to Venkatesh and Rukmini, who had filed a complaint against Vishwesha Theertha Swami of Udupi Pejawar Mutt for various offences.

Disposing of a habeas corpus petition alleging illegal detention and harassment of Venkatesh and Rukmini by the police, Mr Justice R Gururajan and Mr Justice Anand Byrareddy further directed payment of a sum of Rs 5,000 as litigation expenses to the petitioner, Srinidhi of Bangalore.

The court had earlier directed the Registrar Vigilance to conduct an inquiry into the allegation and the Registrar, after a detailed inquiry, submitted a report that from January seven, 2007, till the next morning, they were ill-treated by the police. On the basis of the report, the court directed payment of compensation and further directed the Director General of Police to hold an inquiry into the ill-treatment meted out by the police.

UNI