Karnataka CM's aide surrenders before police after bail refused

Bengaluru, Aug 3: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's close aide Mari Gowda, a former Zill Panchayat president, surrendered before the police in Mysuru on Wednesday afternoon after the High Court rejected his interim bail application. Mari Gowda is accused of trying to intimidate Mysuru district Deputy Commissioner C. Shika.

A police officer at Nazarbad police station in Mysuru confirmed to OneIndia that Gowda had surrendered to the police.

Gowda's interim bail application had come up for hearing on August 1. His counsel had sought bail for Gowda to allow him to attend the funeral of Siddaramaiah's son Rakesh, who passed away in Belgium last week. Justice B. Srinivase Gowda said, however, that he could only direct the police to take him to Rakesh's funeral if he surrendered.

The judge recused himself from hearing the bail plea further that afternoon and passed the matter to Justice Anand Byrareddy.

On Wednesday morning, when the bail plea came up before him, Justice Byrareddy indicated verbally that he could not grant bail as the accused had tried to intimidate a senior woman IAS officer.

Mari Gowda's counsel withdrew the bail plea. Nazarbad police station officials said he was being questioned by sub-inspector S. Satish.

OneIndia News