Advocate CP Udayabhanu has moved the Kerala High Court seeking bail in the murder case of a real estate agent, VA Rajeev at Chalakudy. Udayabhanu, the seventh accused in the case was arrested on November 1 and is presently in judicial custody.
In the petition, it is argued that he was implicated in the case based only on the confession statements given by the other accused while in police custody, reports The New Indian Express.
The petition also argued that the investigation was almost complete and his further detention would prove to be unnecessary and unjust. He also dismissed apprehensions of the investigating officer that he is an influential and prominent lawyer who could tamper with evidence, without leaving a trail, reports TOI.
Udayabhanu in his petition also alleged that he was falsely framed in the murder case by certain rich and highly influential person who were being hostile towards him, the ToI report adds.
In the petition, the advocate also argued that the persons who are accused to be perpetrators of the crime were not contacted by him even according to the prosecution. He also said that though he had not represented Rajeev, the deceased used to contact him regularly seeking legal advice. The petition argued that he is a victim of a larger conspiracy brewed by people, with the motive of destroying his professional career.
Udayabhanu is charged with conspiracy for the murder of the real estate agent and has been in judicial custody since Nov 1. The police had earlier completed searches of his office, residence and other properties.
Udayabhanu's wife Thenrajam had claimed that he had surrendered before the police. On October 31, the senior advocate was denied anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court.
46-year-old Rajeev was found strangulated to death in a deserted building near Chalakudy in Thrissur in the last week of September. He had complained to the DGP, three months back, about a threat from Udayabhanu and Johny.
According to the police, Udayabhanu and Rajeev were once friends but the relationship soured after Rajeev allegedly failed to fulfil the terms of a real estate deal last year. Udayabhanu allegedly assigned a gang to kidnap Rajeev and get him to sign on some documents, but it ended in his murder.