Bhatkal: The Karwar district court acquitted Venktesh Harikantra on Wednesday in Murdeshwar Hiredomi rape and murder case, which happened on 23rd October 2010.

It may be noted that seven years ago, the dead body of a girl Yamuna Naik was found in a shed  meant for storing logs in a Muslim family's property in suspicious circumstances, while the house was closed for days as the occupants of the house were out attending a wedding.

Soon after the incident came to light, the members of the hindu outfits  had not only targeted the house but also pelted stones at the surrounding houses which had caused disturbance in the area and the whole town of Murdeshwar was tense.

Then Uttara Kannada Suprintendent of Police Raman Gupta, Bhatkal DSP M Narayan and Mangaluru DSP Jayanth Shetty after thorough  investigation had arrested Venkatesh Harikantra who was a fisherman and informed that he had confessed to the crime during questioning.

It was reported that 51 witnesses  recorded their statement in the court. But now it is said that after the medical examination of the girl’s body, the police failed to prove Venkatesh’s involvement. It is said that the DNA, sperm and other tests were  not matching with Venktesh, and finally the court has acquitted him in rape and murder case.

The people of Bhatkal claimed that this is not the first case reported when the accused has been acquitted in Bhatkal. Similar cases have occurred before too.