Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP/SP)

Kasargod, Aug 14: A police team led by deputy superintendent of police, T P Ranjith, arrested a notorious criminal facing several cases including murder and robbery, from Pookatte near Kumble in the district. The accused was also found to be in possession of three kilograms of banned drug charas, and lethal weapons, all of which were confiscated.

The arrested person has been identified as Abdul Latif alias Vanande Latif (34), a native of Arikkady Uluvaru in Kumble.

The operation was conducted on the night of Tuesday August 12. A motor bike on which he was moving, was also seized from his possession.

The police said that Latif is an accused in the murder of Shamir at Kumble Arikkady about five years ago. He also faces the charge of escorting a person from Uppala to Talassery before dumping him in a well there. Latif's name also figures in a bank robbery case in Belgaum in the past. He also faces the allegation of assaulting Kumble police sub-inspector, P Narayanan, when efforts to arrest the former was made. It is learnt that He has been named as an accused in a case of disturbance in Kumble Naykap.

He had earlier been arrested relating to bank robbery. He was arrested again recently after having been accused of stealing a suitcase containing valuables and laptop from some tourists at Ooty, but succeeded in securing bail in that case. The police said Latif happens to be an accused in a case of stealing Hawala money amounting to two lac rupees from a person from Mumbai.

During the raid, the police found two iron rods, two screw drivers, sword, and other lethal weapons from the home of the accused. Several pieces of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes were recovered from him. During the questioning, Latif reportedly confessed that these cut notes comprise Hawala money.

During the raid, the police found fabric sheets having been wrapped around his body. Latif told the police that he faces threats to his life, and the police feel this technique was owned by him to avoid being hurt during attacks with sharp weapons. They also suspect that such jackets might have been used to conceal sachets containing drugs. The police, who are questioning the arrested person, hope to get a goldmine of information through sustained interrogation.

Kumble police circle inspector, Suresh Kumar, and other police had participated in the raid.