High court murder accused will soon be out of hospital

Almost two months after brutally murdering a colleague on the Karnataka high court campus and then attempting suicide, accused SL Rajappa continues to remain in Victoria Hospital. But the doctors have said that he could be discharged soon.

The police department has been taking care of his treatment, since his colleagues have refused to support him.
Doctors said he would be discharged within a couple of days. But his speech impairment may create problems for the police, who want to take his statement, sources said.

On July 8, Rajappa, a trial court advocate, had stabbed his colleague JS Naveena on the Karnataka high court premises during the lunch break. Later, he had locked himself up in the washroom of the court and consumed poison and slit his throat in an attempt to kill himself.

Naveena died in the court itself, but Rajappa was rushed to Mallya Hospital and later shifted to Victoria Hospital.

“Rajappa is recovering, but he is still finding it difficult to speak,” assistant commissioner of police (ACP) KN Jitendranath of the Cubbon park police station, who is the investigating officer of the case, said. “He is being treated at the Victoria Hospital and would be discharged very soon. He may be able to speak — but with difficulty — when an incision made in his throat is closed.”

All the treatment expenses were being borne by the police department, the ACP said. “His father, who is a coolie, is also being provided food and other facilities,” he said.