Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Apr 21: Late night on Saturday April 19, three masked men had slipped into a house in Shalethadka in Kalenja village in the taluk and murdered the family head, Annaiah Gowda (48) with lethal weapons, before escaping in the darkness. The circumstances under which this murder was committed, have given rise to a number of theories behind the possible motive of this murder.

Only the wife of Annaiah, and the youngest out of his three children, were at home when the murder took place. Reportedly, the couple, which was deep asleep, woke up to the sound made by  moving roof tiles. When Annaiah opened the rear door to check, three masked men pushed him inside the house and attacked him with sharp weapons, killing him on the spot, it is said.

Meanwhile, Annaiah’s wife ran away to a neighbouring house with her child in hand and brought people from there, by which time Annaiah, who was lying in a pool of blood, had breathed his last. His assailants had made good their escape. Two of Annaiah’s children were on a visit to a relative’s home at the time. The manner in which Annaiah’s wife conducted herself relating to the murder has given rise to doubt in the minds of the locals and the police about her possible involvement with this murder, it is learnt.

Gowda’s wife, Amitha, operates a tailoring shop in Kokkada. Annaiah Gowda, who earlier worked as truck driver, was confined to agricultural activities after paralysis restricted his movements some years back. Locals say the couple did not have a cordial relationship. Some years back, the motor bike of a local official working in forest department was burnt down by some unknown locals there. It was said then that the locals, angered by the frequent visit of this official to Annaiah’s home during nights when the latter was not at home, had expressed their opposition to the official’s behavior in this way.

Strangely, in this case, the murderers did not take away anything from Annaiah’s house, nor did they forcibly snatch away valuables from family members. Annaiah was a sober person, having good relationship with everyone in the village, the people say. Therefore, the police are examining the possibility of Amitha’s alleged relationship with a government official having played a role in this murder.

Amitha said in her complaint that three unidentified men had killed her husband, without suspecting involvement of anyone in the murder. The policemen found that some tiles of the roof in the rear side of the house had been removed. Sniffer dogs could not do anything but crossing the courtyard and moving on the road. The policemen, who are investigating the incident, are now checking inward and outward calls relating to the cell phone owned by Amitha. Initial investigation points out to the involvement of some people from Kokkada in the murder, it is gathered. One of the theories making rounds is that Annaiah’s wife would have been behind this murder.

Additional superintendent of police of Dakshina Kannada district, Shivakumar, visited the spot. The Uppinangady police, who have registered a case, are investigating. Puttur rural police circle inspector, B Suresh Kumar, has been entrusted with the task of investigating the case further.