SC bail to Bangalore woman Shubha in Girish murder case

August 12, 2014

New Delhi, Aug 12: The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Shubha Shankaranarayan (32), who was found guilty of murdering her fiancé B V Girish, a software engineer, in 2003 along with three others, to kill her fiancé B V Girish in Bangalore in 2003.

Shubha, who is a law graduate, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court in 2010 after being held guilty in the murder case. The Karnataka High Court confirmed her conviction and sentence in 2010.

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Taking up her bail plea, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and V Gopala Gowda noted that the accused has been in custody for more than 52 months.

Since it would take further time to hear her appeal challenging the conviction and sentence, there was no point in putting her behind bars, the court said, while granting her bail.

According to the police, Shubha was the mastermind and the prime accused in the murder of Girish, a software engineer, to whom she was engaged in November 2003. They were to be married five months later.

Her alleged boyfriend Arun Verma, her junior in B M S College of Law, his cousin Dinakar alias Dinesh and Venkatesh are the co-accused. All of them were also sentenced to life term by the trial court.

A murder that shook Bangalore

It was a well-planned murder, executed to precision on December 3, 2003. Seven years later, law student Shubha Shankaranarayan was sentenced to life imprisonment by a fast track court in July 2010 for killing her fiance BV Girish.

The victim, Girish, 27, was a software engineer with Intel and got engaged to Shubha, then 21 and a final-year student of BMS College of Law, on November 30, 2003. The wedding was fixed for April 11, 2004. The two families were neighbours in Banashankari II Stage knew each other for 15 years.

Four days later, on December 3, 2003, Shubha convinced Girish to take her out for dinner and made him stop his bike near the Jumbo point on Ring Road, between Indiranagar and Koramangala, on the pretext of wanting to watch aircraft take off and land at the HAL Airport.

While Girish was busy watching an aircraft in motion, a man attacked him with a blunt object from behind and sped away on a bike that was waiting for him.

Shubha took Girish to Manipal Hospital, where he succumbed. In her complaint, Shubha said an unidentified man assaulted her fiance and fled.

Not convinced with her version, police collected call details of her mobile phone, prior to and after Girish's murder that night. Records showed numerous calls made to a number belonging to Arun Verma, then 19 and Shubha's junior in college.

Cops picked up Arun and confronted him with the evidence. He confessed to the murder and, based on his statement, Shubha, and two others, Venkatesh and Dinakar, were arrested.

Investigations revealed Shubha was in love with Arun and was engaged to Girish against her will. The lovebirds then hatched a plan to eliminate Girish. Arun hired Venkatesh to kill Girish; his cousin Dinakar helped him plan the murder.

A sessions court held all four guilty of murder, and sentenced them to life term in jail. The Karnataka high court upheld the judgment.

"Though the prosecution has not placed any evidence as to the actual conversation that had taken place between the accused, the call details, call history sheets extracted in this judgment would clearly indicate that they were in close association with each other. The accused had entered into a criminal conspiracy to do away with the deceased, and they were co-conspirators. The conduct of the accused before the incident, at the time of incident and after the incident is compatible with their guilt and incompatible with their innocence, and no other hypothesis except hypothesis of guilt of accused can be drawn," the high court had observed.

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News Network
November 19,2024

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In the wake of the tragic drowning of three students at a resort near Ullal on the outskirts of Mangaluru city, the tourism department in Dakshina Kannada is set to implement comprehensive safety guidelines for properties with swimming pools or beach access. This initiative aims to ensure guest safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.

New Safety Mandates for Resorts and Homestays

Rashmi S.R., deputy director (in-charge) of the tourism department, announced, “We will instruct all homestays and resorts to enforce precautionary measures, especially those with pools or direct beach access. Properties must ensure 24/7 supervision, particularly during guest hours. This tragedy highlights the importance of having trained personnel on-site.”

Key Safety Guidelines

The district, home to around 150 homestays and 130 resorts, will see the following measures enforced:

  • Clearly displaying pool depths.
  • Installing adequate safety equipment, such as life buoys.
  • Employing trained lifeguards at all times.
  • Establishing clear pool operating hours.
  • Reviewing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for pool and beach usage.

Booming Beach Tourism Calls for Vigilance

Manohar Shetty, president of the Association for Coastal Tourism (ACT), Udupi, highlighted the growing popularity of beachside resorts, particularly during peak seasons. Properties in Udupi, often fully booked with tourists from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kodagu, and Shivamogga, face increasing pressure to maintain safety standards.

Udupi district boasts 22 beachside commercial properties catering to this rising demand.

Shetty emphasized, “Authorities must scrutinize safety measures and carefully evaluate guidelines before issuing new resort licenses. Panchayats should rely on the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act when handling such cases.”

Long-Term Solutions for Water Safety

Recognizing the need for a cultural shift in water safety, Shetty proposed integrating swimming lessons into school curricula. This move would not only equip students with essential skills but also encourage safe participation in water-based activities.

A Safer Tomorrow for Coastal Tourism

As the tourism sector thrives, Mangaluru’s proactive approach underscores its commitment to visitor safety. The tragic incident serves as a wake-up call, propelling the industry towards stricter regulations and better preparedness, ensuring that coastal vacations remain both enjoyable and safe.

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News Network
November 21,2024

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Prominent NRI community leader SM Syed Khalilur Rehman, fondly known as CA Khalil, passed away in Dubai on Thursday at the age of 86 after a brief illness.

Khalil had been admitted to Aster Hospital in Mankhool on Tuesday after experiencing severe leg weakness. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to a double heart attack that worsened his condition, his son Rais Ahmed confirmed.

The news of his passing has sent waves of grief across communities, particularly in his hometown of Bhatkal, Karnataka, where he was a celebrated figure. Tributes have been pouring in on social media, highlighting his significant contributions to international trade, social service, and education.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

A chartered accountant by profession, Khalil was a founding member of the Dubai chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), where he served as chairman from 1987 to 1994. His illustrious career included key leadership roles, such as general manager of Khaleej Times, group executive director of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, and vice-chairman of the Jashanmal Group of Companies.

He also chaired Maadhyama Communications and Sahil Online, a web-based news platform, and was a director and trustee of several media companies and charitable organisations in Dubai and India.

A Champion for Education and Philanthropy

Khalil’s impact extended far beyond his professional achievements. As president and general secretary of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen, he played a pivotal role in the development of educational institutions, including schools and colleges in Bhatkal and surrounding areas. His dedication to social upliftment earned him recognition from the Government of Karnataka, which honoured him with a prestigious award for his philanthropic contributions.

A Life Celebrated

The Bhatkal Muslim Khaleej Council (BMKC) recently released a documentary celebrating Khalil’s remarkable life and service to the community—a testament to his enduring legacy.

CA Khalil is survived by his family and countless admirers across the globe. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian expatriates in the UAE and beyond, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, generosity, and commitment to community service.

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News Network
November 11,2024

Mangaluru: Six youths including teenagers have been arrested by the Bantwal Rural Police in connection with a brutal assault on 21-year-old Aboobakar (name changed to hide identity), an incident that was widely shared on social media after footage revealed the victim tied to a pole and violently beaten.

The arrested individuals, all from Kanchinadkapadavu, Sajipanadu village in Ullal Taluk, have been identified as Mohammad Sapwan (25), Mohammad Rizwan (25), Irfan (27), Anis Ahmad (19), Nasir (27), and Shakeer (18). According to police reports, the assault took place on November 7 in Kanchinadkapadavu.

The sequence of events began when Aboobakar was reportedly called to a residence in Kanchinadkapadavu by a female relative. Upon his arrival, he was confronted by the accused, who questioned his presence, tied him to a pole with ropes, and attacked him while he was shirtless. 

Aboobakar managed to file a police complaint the following day, detailing the assault. As his injuries worsened, he was admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru.

While in the hospital, Aboobakar alleged that his attackers intended to kill him during the assault. This statement led to additional charges of attempted murder being filed. 

Police officials stated that the suspects were subsequently apprehended, charged with group assault and attempted murder, and placed in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

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