Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal
Bhatkal, Sep 15: Bhatkal police on Thursday September 15 arrested one person connection with the murder case of Jali vice-president Abdul Salam Damda, who was found dead on Sunday September 11.
The arrested is Pundalik Naik, who was picked from Shirali here. He was taken to Kumta court after which he will be taken into custody, police said.
Abdul Salam
Pundalik Naik
Abdul Salam had gone to Sirsi to deal with some land business and the last call he made was to his wife on September 6. He went missing ever since, till his body was found in Sirsi five days later.
Bhatkal police tracked Salam's mobile phone records and after interrogating his family members zeroed in on Pundalik Naik. Salam's family also said that Naik and Abdul Salam had gone to Sirsi by Naik's car after which Salam never returned.
On Thursday, police raided Naik's house and conducted a search, before arresting him. His car also was seized.
Police have learnt that four others were involved in the crime, of which one is absconding and the other three are likely to be arrested anytime. However, the police did not divulge their identities.
Police sources said that on interrogation, Pundalik Naik threw more light on the crime, but the details have not been revealed to the media.
On September 6, all the four accompanied Salam to Sirsi in the Zen Estilo, and from there to Kumta. It is gathered that the four of them murdered Salam in the car and threw his body in the jungle on the way back.
It may be noted that a day before he went missing, on September 5, Salam withdrew Rs 5 lac from a bank and went to Shirali to meet a person over a land deal. He paid him the amount and signed some documents. Salam is said to have paid the land dealer Rs 50-75 lac in total.
Next day on September 6, he went to Sirsi armed with the file containing the documents, however, the police are yet to get their hands on the file and a search is on.
Salam served as the member of Jali Panchayath in Bhatkal for 20 years. He was also the president of Jali Panchayat. He was laid to rest at the burial ground of Jamiya Mosque Bhatkal on September 11.