Mounesh Vishwakarma
Pics: Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Jun 21: A youth was brutally murdered in public by a gang that came in a car at Maripalla near Farangipet in the taluk here on Saturday June 21.

Naushad (27), son of Balekai Khader, was butchered near a mosque at Maripalla by the gang at around 6 pm. The attackers sped away in their car soon after. Naushad's friend Shameer too was injured in the incident.

It is said that Naushad was in his shop when he received a phone call asking him to come near the mosque. Naushad went to the spot in his Alto car, and as soon he reached, the gang attacked him with a sickle. In a bid to escape, Naushad got out of the car and began to run, but the attackers caught him and brutally assaulted him.

Naushad was left bleeding heavily with one hand dismembered. He died on the spot due to intense loss of blood. Naushad's car too was damaged in the incident.

Shameer who was with Naushad sustained injuries and was admitted to a private hospital in the city.

Sources said that internal rivalry and grudge over some issue resulted in the murder. Naushad was an accused in the Nooruddin murder case of 2011. Altogether, he was facing charges in 15 cases, including attempt to murder auto rickshaw driver Ghouse. Out of the 15 cases, he was acquitted in 12, including Nooruddin murder case, and three were pending trial. He got married just last year.

It is suspected that the Naushad's murder was an act of revenge for Nooruddin's murder.

Though it is said that the attackers came in a car, it is not yet known which car was used for the crime. However, the sickle used by the attackers was found near the crime spot, and taken into possession by the police.

Bantwal circle inspector Belliappa along with Bantwal rural police arrived at the spot and investigated.