Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SHS)
Mangalore, Jun 23: The police have cracked the Naushad murder case with the arrest of six accused, all of whom have confessed to the crime that took place at Maripalla two days ago.
However, one of the accused is still absconding, and the police are confident of nabbing him soon.
Addressing a press meet at SP's office here on Monday June 23, IGP (western range) Amrit Paul said that the accused arrested are Irfan (24), Tousif (22), Mohammed Nisar (26), Mohammed Nisar (24), Abdul Sattar (27), and Mohammed Siraj (25).
Another accused, identified as Saddam, is absconding. The six were arrested on Sunday June 22. The car and the weapons used in the crime were also seized.
The IGP said that the accused in their statement said that they killed Naushad as they were fed up of his dictatorial attitude towards them and his misbehaviour. "Naushad used to boss over them, calling himself a 'don' and insisting that they call him 'bhai'. He used to threaten people and even misbhave with women. People were scared to file complaint against him as he would intimidate them. He would time and again threaten to kill them, and hence, fearing for their safety, the accused decided to end his life," the IGP said.
"As per the accused persons' statement, on June 21, they received information that Naushad would be near Badigudde at Maripalla with his relative (Shameer). They rented a car and went to the spot, and when Naushad was speaking to Shameer, they hit him with a machete and sickle," he said.
Amrit Paul appreciated the efforts of the Bantwal police team headed by SP Dr Sharanappa in nabbing the six accused within 24 hours of the crime.
About the deceased Naushad, the IGP said that he was into criminal activities since 2003 and in the year 2010, he was declared as a rowdy sheeter. He was accused in 15 cases, out of which he was acquitted in 9 due to lack of evidence, he said.
When a reporter asked the IGP about another case related to the murder of Rajesh Poojary, pointing out that DYFI has been insisting that the accused were innocent, the IGP replied, "It is just an opinion of some people that the accused are innocent. It is common. We have carried out thorough investigation and have enough evidence against the accused to prove their involvement, and the witnesssed to corroborated the facts. If some people still think they are innocent, it is not our problem."
Amrit Paul also advised youngsters to stay away from criminal and illegal activities. "Youngsters should not indulge in crimes. Dakshina Kannada is a district of peace-loving people and crimes bring bad name to the district and tarnish its image," he said.
SP Dr Sharanappa, ASP Shivakumar, Bantwal subdivision DySP Rashmi Paradi, Bantwal circle inspector Belliappa, Bantwal rural PSI Nagaraj S, along with the Mangalore city crime branch (CCB) police carried out the investigation.