Citing lack of evidence, Udupi court acquits man of sibling’s murder charge

Udupi court acquits man accused of murdering brother due to lack of evidence, raising doubts about the case.

In the absence of sufficient evidence, an Udupi court acquitted a 30-year-old man from Brahmavar taluk of the charge of murdering his brother in their house in Nalkuru village.

The Principal District and Sessions Judge, Udupi, K.S. Gangannavar, on March 21, acquitted Vishwanath Naik of the charge of murdering his brother Manjunath in their house on March 30, 2024.

As per the chargesheet, Manjunath is the eldest of the four sons of Gulabi. Accused Vishwanath and Kashinath are the other two sons. Manjunath had frequent quarrels with his brother Vishwanath and held the latter as the cause for the former’s wife, Hema, leaving the house and staying separately.

On the night of March 30, 2024, Gulabi left the house along with her son Kashinath, who was unwell, to stay in a neighbour’s house. Then, a quarrel broke out between the two brothers. When Gulabi and Kashinath returned home in the morning, Manjunath was found dead in the verandah of the house. Vishwanath told his mother and brother that he had hit Manjunath on the head.

On a complaint by Gulabi, the Hebri police arrested Vishwanath on April 1, 2024. On the insistence of Gulabi, the police seized the club said to have been used by Vishwanath in the assault. Vishwanath gave police the clothes he was wearing at the time of crime.

Taking note of the absence of Gulabi and Kashinath at the time of assault, the Judge said it was through Vishwanath’s admission that she came to know of the cause of death. Grief-stricken Gulabi cannot be faulted for her inability to corroborate the allegations against Vishwanath. The three neighbours, who saw the body of Manjunath on March 31, 2024, have also not said anything before the court about the assault the previous day.

Holding that the use of recovered blunt weapon for the assault is not properly corroborated, the Judge said there is no reasonable evidence to connect that weapon with Vishwanath.