Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia

Sullia, Apr 9: Three persons have been arrested in connection to the gruesome abduction and murder of a Madikeri man by a gang in Sullia. The incident took place on March 31, but came to light only a week later.

The arrested are Dalu alias Dali M B (42), Harish (29) and Pramod alias Disk (27), all residents of Madikeri.

The victim, Ravi, a resident of Madikeri, had come to KVG Hospital in Sullia to see his father-in-law who was being treated there after having met with an accident. During his visit, he went out to get some medicines for his father-in-law, but did not return to the hospital, nor reached home. A missing complaint was thereafter filed in the local police station. Ravi's wife who filed the complaint expressed suspicions about the involvment of Dalu, stating that her husband and Dalu had some financial conflict.

The police, who undertook investigation, found through CCTV footage at the hospital that a youth had taken Ravi away with him in a car. Further investigation led police to Dalu from Madikeri. During Dalu's interrogation, they came to know that Ravi was murdered.

It is learnt that Ravi had borrowed Rs 6 lac from Dalu. He had returned Rs 3 lac thereafter. It is said that Ravi was dithering in the matter of repaying the balance amount. On March 31, Dalu's nephew, Jeevan, had come to KVG Medical College. He offered a lift to Ravi, after finding him in the hospital compound. Ravi was abducted and taken to Madikeri in the car where Dalu, Jeevan and others together assaulted and killed Ravi and tossed his body into a gorge, it is learnt.

The police seized an Indica car, an auto rickshaw and some weapons used for the crime.

Hunt is on for two more accused, identified as Prashant alias Papu and Dalu's nephew Jeevan who are currently absconding.