Mangaluru: In an unfortunate incident, slain RTI activist Vinayak Baliga 's mother Lakshmi Baliga passed away on Sunday January 8. She was 81. Wife of B Ramachandra Baliga, Lakshmi suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and was in coma for the past few days.

After the brutal murder of her son Vinayak Baliga in March 2016, she had been suffering from anxiety and was very much depressed, said rationalist Prof Narendra Nayak who has been fighting for justice for the family.

She leaves behind four daughters Shwetha, Asha, Anu and Harsha. Her mortal remains will be kept at their residence behind Sterling Chambers, PVS Kala Kunj Road for all to pay their respects from 8 am on Monday January 9. The cremation will be at the Bolar crematorium.

The RTI activist's murder near his house on March 21, 2016 had rocked the coastal region. The main accused Naresh Shenoy had gone absconding for about two months, before he was finally arrested. He was granted bail by the high court in September the same year. The family then approached the Supreme Court against the bail order, after which the SC issued notice to the accused and asked the state government to furnish relevant details.