Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Jan 20: A murder case originating from the personal animosity in the village of Karl, near Tenkkaje, Bantwal, has been proven in a Mangaluru court, leading to a life sentence and a fine of Rs 1.5 lac for the convict.
The accused, Siddique (34), was found guilty of killing Mohammad Rafique (20).
It may be recalled, on the evening of September 12, 2021, the accused, Siddique, lured Rafique to a hill under the pretext of smoking a cigarette, where he attacked and killed him with a knife. After the murder, Siddique went home to change his blood-stained clothes, then visited the victim’s house and had a meal with Rafique’s mother, feigning ignorance about her son’s whereabouts. Later, he falsely told his friend, Fayazuddin, that he had used his car to dump Rafique’s body near the Morri of Neerolbey in Devasya Mooduru before returning home.
A murder case was filed at the Punjalkatte police station, and the investigation was led by inspector Shivkumar, who submitted a charge sheet to the court. The trial took place in the 6th Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru, where 19 witnesses were examined and 57 documents and 14 pieces of evidence were presented. After hearing the arguments, Judge Kantaraju S V ruled that the charges against the accused were proven and handed down the sentence.
The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment and a Rs 1 lac fine under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for murder. Additionally, he was sentenced to 7 years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 fine under Section 201 of the IPC for concealing the crime. The court also recommended compensation to the victim's mother through the District Legal Services Authority.
Prosecuting attorneys Jyothi P Nayak and B Shekhar Shetty, along with government advocate Chaudhary Motilal, represented the state in the case.
After committing the crime, Siddique was reportedly haunted by his conscience and, unable to sleep, went to the Punjalkatte police station the next morning to confess his crime. The police used circumstantial evidence and forensic documentation to strengthen the case, including the fact that Rafique's mother had seen the accused and her son leaving together. This was considered a key piece of evidence in the trial.