Udupi: SP says Adiga murder case highly challenging, reveals modus operandi
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)
Udupi, Jan 21: The modus operandi and developments in the sensational murder case of RTI activist Vasudeva Adiga were explained in detail by Udupi superintendent of police (SP) Dr Boralingaiah here on Monday January 21.
Addressing a press meet, the SP said that on January 7, a case was filed in Shankaranarayana police station about Adiga going missing and his family had raised doubts that he had been kidnapped. Later his bike and mobile phone were found and the kidnapping was confirmed. Adiga's mother then filed a case of kidnapping.
Ramesh Bayari, Subramanya Udupa
"It was a very challenging case, as the person who died was not ordinary but an RTI activist and social worker. The issues he was dealing with and the documents he had were highly sensitive. He had clues about illegalities in mining, about temple trustees and their illegal works and about corruption of various people including officials," the SP said.
"On January 12 a body was found in a pond near Kadur in Chikmagalur. There was a handkerchief in which a bill with Adiga's name was found. Later, Adiga's relatives identified the body.
"We first made a long list of all those who could have been involved in the case, and who might have a motive to kill Adiga. It took many days as there was no evidence against anybody. But we did have one clue which was given to us by the locals - about a black Scorpio (KA 05 MD 7934) used for the kidnapping. There was a name of a temple in Bangalore written on the Scorpio. With just this clue in hand, we formed four police teams and traced the car in Bangalore. We got hold of three persons - Umesh, Raghavendra and Naveen - and took them into custody. They were produced in court and remanded in police custody til January 24," he said.
On interrogating the three people arrested, the involvement of Subramanya Udupa and others came to light. Udupa and others were then produced and also remanded in police custody till January 24.
The SP refuted reports that four of the arrested were contract killers, and said that so far, no evidence has been found regarding cash transfer in any account. Also, except for Umesh who has an assault case against him, all the arrested have clean records.
On interrogating Udupa, the police learnt that a land dispute between Adiga and his neighbour Ramesh Bayari may have been the prime reason for the murder, contrary to suspicions that his position as RTI activist had led to the crime. Udupa also revealed that he was a relative (brother-in-law) of Bayari.
The SP said that the prime suspect in the case is Ramesh Bayari, who is still absconding along with another accused.
Modus Operandi
The SP said that the murder was planned by Umesh, Bayari and Udupa. On January 7, five persons started from Bangalore to Vandar and another joined them on the way from Tumkur. They halted at various places during their journey, the SP said.
Having prior information about Adiga's movements, they waited near Goliangadi at around 7.30 pm on the evening the kidnapping took place. At around 8-8.15 pm when Adiga passed by in his bike, they waylaid him and one of them pulled him by his neck with a towel, while another hit him hard on the head and back with a rod. Adiga blacked out immediately.
One of the accused took Adiga's bike and left it in a nearby forest, and his mobile phone was thrown away. They then bundled the unconscious Adiga into the Scorpio and left for Kadur. They tied his hands and legs and fastened him to a heavy stone weighing around 20 kg, and lowered him into the pond.
The accused did not know whether Adiga had died or not when they lowered him into the pond. To confirm this fact, Umesh visited Udupa's house in the days following Adiga's murder. This piece of infomation was later confirmed by locals who had spotted Umesh visiting Udupa. Umesh had also visited Ramesh Bayari earlier on December 31 and January 1.
The SP further said that more people may be involved in the case, but an exact number could not be confirmed as of now. "Investigations are going on in various directions. Though land dispute seems to be the primary reason, we will conduct another round of investigation to see if any RTI-related angle was also the motive," he added.
He had special praise for the locals who had assisted the police in every step. "The locals gave us vital information and cooperated very well. Every person who contributed with clues will be rewarded. Due to safety issues their names cannot be revealed, but they will be rewarded in person," he said.
He also praised the media and said that in a rare instance, the media had only praise for the police and did not complain about slow investigation, and cooperated fully.
"Though the crime took place in a small place, the police officials right from DGP to the local policemen have worked on the case thoroughly, and treated it with utmost importance," he said.
The investigation team will be rewarded with Rs 10,000 from the SP, and the DGP too has promised an award.