Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Apr 23: The police claim to have solved the case relating to the murder of Annaiah Gowda (48), a farmer from Kalenja village, with the arrest of Gowda’s wife, Amitha, and her alleged paramour, Rudresh.
Rudresh, who works as deputy range forest officer, was due for promotion as range forest officer shortly, it is learnt. As per the police theory, the murder was executed relating to illicit relationship that had been thriving between these two people.
The villagers knew that Amitha was in an immoral relationship with the above official, and often Rudresh visited Amitha’s house and stayed there overnight. The locals, who were resentful of this blatant violation of socially acceptable behaviour, had burnt down a motor bike belonging to Rudresh, which was found parked in the courtyard of Gowda’s house about seven months back. Annaiah Gowda, who was paralyzed since sometime and hence had to abandon working as a truck driver, was also strongly objecting to his wife’s conduct. The family depended on agricultural income, as well as income from a tailoring shop run by Amitha.
Amitha had told the police that herself and her husband were awakened at the sound of removal of roof tiles, and that when her husband opened the rear door, three masked men had pushed him inside and murdered him, before escaping in a jeep. Nothing had been taken away. She had raised an alarm, run to a neighbouring house with her small child, and alerted the neighbours. By the time people came, Gowda was found lying in a pool of blood, and the murderers had made good their escape. Two elder children of the couple were on a visit to a relative’s home on account of summer holidays, and youngest son, Anush (4), was at home on Saturday.
It has now transpired that on Saturday Annaiah vehemently protested the visit of Rudresh. The policemen, who verified inward and outward calls relating to cell phones of Amitha, concluded that Amitha and Rudresh were involved with this murder. Reportedly, after Puttur rural circle inspector, B Suresh Kumar, arrested both and interrogated them on Tuesday morning, they confessed to their involvement with this crime. On the basis of the information they gave, an iron rod used for killing Anniah was recovered, after both of them were brought to the scene of crime.
It is said that Rudresh, who was drunk, insisted on visiting Amitha on Saturday night although she was reluctant, and entered home by removing roof tiles. Amitha had opened the door of her room for him, when Annaiah woke to the sound and found to his chagrin that Rudresh had come in. When Annaiah started deriding Rudresh, the latter took an iron rod lying nearby, and attacked Annaiah. Amitha was a mute spectator to the crime. Annaiah collapsed to the ground and breathed his last. Rudresh advised Amitha about the imaginary story she was to relate to the neighbours and relatives. During the questioning, the police discovered that Amitha had been resisting an offer repeatedly made to her by Rudresh to come and live with him, as she was attached to her three children.
Both Rudresh and Amitha were produced before the Judge of Beltangady court, whereupon they were remanded to 15 days judicial custody. Anush, who happens to be the only eyewitness to the gory murder, was entrusted to the care of women and child welfare department.
Investigation is continuing under the supervision of deputy superintendent of police, H D Mendonca, and Dakshina Kannada district additional superintendent of police, Shivakumar.