‘Gravity of offence’: No anticipatory bail for suspect in Bengaluru gym trainer’s murder

A Bengaluru court has denied anticipatory bail to Joseph N, a suspect in the murder of gym trainer Vijay Kumar, due to the severity of the crime. The 39-year-old is one of five people believed to have been present at a drinking party on June 6 where Kumar was killed in a contract killing over a relationship with the daughter of a real estate businessman.

Kumar's body was found on June 9 in Bannerghatta forest. Joseph allegedly received a portion of the Rs 25 lakh contract money. Real estate tycoon Prasad Rao and criminal Srirama are also suspects, both of whom are missing. The prosecution argued that circumstantial evidence and statements from arrested gang leader Srirama placed Joseph at the scene, and that custodial interrogation was necessary to recover Kumar's phone, trace Joseph's handset, and seize the cash received.

The court ruled that the non-bailable nature of the charges and the potential penalties of life imprisonment or death justified denying bail to Joseph. Meanwhile, advocate Lokesh, representing another suspect, has approached the High Court for anticipatory bail, with a response due from the state by August 12.