‘It was just an accident’

The truck which hit the police escort of Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde in Haveri district on Tuesday night is registered in the name of B.G. Nagesh, brother of a BJP worker in Koppa taluk. However, Mr. Nagesh has said he sold the truck to Nasir Ahmed of Betagere in N.R.Pura taluk two months ago, but the ownership documents were not transferred yet due to technical problems.

The truck KA18-A8733 hit the escort vehicle at Halageri Cross near Ranebennur. Following the incident, the Minister alleged that it was an attempt to murder him. The police took Nassir, driver of the truck, into custody for investigation. B.G. Nagesh’s brother, Ramesh Belgola, is a BJP leader and confidante of former Minister D.N. Jeevaraj . He also served as a member of Koppa Taluk Panchayat. “My brother is into politics. I am an agriculturist and also involved in transport business”, Nagesh told The Hindu. He said he sold the truck to Nasir Ahmed on February 16 this year and he had issued the delivery note on the same day. However, the transfer of ownership was pending as the sanction of loan to the new owner from a private finance agency was delayed.

Nasir Ahmed said “I and my brother Rasheed supply rubber wood to different places. The truck left N.R.Pura on April 15 and reached Hubli the next day. For a day it was in Hubli as there was no load to carry. On April 17, the driver loaded grocery items and left for Shivamogga. What happened in Haveri is just an accident.”

Ahmed said he had known the driver – Nassir – for several years. “He missed the road at Halageri Cross as he was talking over the phone. While taking U-turn he met with the accident.” Ahmed said that the incident had taken a political colour, but he was ready to face an inquiry.