Mangaluru: The III Judicial Magistrate First Class court here on Monday extended the judicial custody of Naresh Shenoy, prime accused in the murder of RTI activist Vinayak Panduranga Baliga, till July 18.

At a local court on Thursday, police sought extension of his custody for further questioning. Shenoy claimed illness and wanted to be admitted to a hospital. But the court, on the basis of a report given after examining him at a government hospital, rejected Shenoy’s plea and extended his custody. According to sources, next morning Naresh shenoy had complained of illness again and he was taken to the same hospital. On checking him and on the basis of earlier report, it was decided that he need not be admitted to the hospital.

It is expected, that investigation of the conspiracy behind the murder of RTI activists Vinayak Baliga could lead to the top management of a temple. Last month in an anticipatory bail plea moved by Shenoy, in the Karnataka High Court, the police had told the court that the murder has connection to the affairs of the Temple. Shenoy was party to the misappropriation of funds along with others in the temple management, the police said before the court.