So whose bike is it anyway?

Agents representing film star Sudeep are trying to settle an accident case cheap by claiming the owner of his motorbike is an auto driver.

Sudeep's Yamaha Crux killed Shivananjaiah (55) last month. He told MiD DAY he had paid compensation, a claim that left the victim's family aghast.

"That is a lie," said Shanker, son of Shivananjaiah.

Shivananjaiah was the only breadwinner of the family. The bike crashed into him on July 12 at Harohalli Cross, on Kanakapura Road. Sudeep's car driver, Vishwanath, was riding it, and he was reportedly drunk.

After a case was registered in the Harohalli police station, Sudeep sent his men to negotiate. "Many called, but we didn't believe them. We asked them to bring Sudeep to our place, but they haven't till today," said Unimadaiah, Shivananjaiah's son-in-law and a policeman. 

Shivananjaiah's four children are despairing. "We are not paid well in the garment factory where we work. My sister has yet to be married. We have lost hope," Shankar told MiD DAY.

Not mine

However Sudeep said, "The bike is not in my name. It belongs to my driver. I wanted to help him, so I got involved," he said. The hero of such hits as Kichcha and My Autograph said the case had been settled outside the court a month a half ago. "I have paid compensation," he said.

Shankar is convinced Sudeep is doing everything possible to wriggle out of the case.  "Some call and tell us that an auto driver owns the bike so that we don't ask for much by way of compensation. Anyway, we will fight a legal battle," he said.

In friend's name

Sudeep reportedly bought the Yamaha Crux seven years ago. He paid Rs 32,000 and got it registered in the name of his friend Manjunath.

The movie star's drivers Yogesh and Vishwanath were among those who used the bike. It didn't have insurance when the accident took place.