Daijiworld Media Network - Vijayapura (SP) 

Vijayapura, Aug 23: Two policemen from Karnataka have been accused of trying to shield murderers of influential Congress leader from the district, Reshma Padekanura. The murder of Reshma had given rise to widespread agitations. 

The anti corruption bureau (ACB) officials of Maharashtra raided the spot when the police were accepting bribe on Wednesday night at Solapur from the murder-accused. Mallikarjun Poojary, constable of Basavanabagewadi station, and middleman, Riaz Kokatanura, were arrested. It is learnt that deputy superintendent (DySP) of police, Maheshwara Gowda Patil, who is said to be the brain behind the plan, succeeded in escaping during the raid, it is said. 

Reshma Padekanura 

Reshma Padekanura had been murdered on May 17 this year under a bridge at Kolhara town across River Krishna. The police, who questioned Reshma's husband, had arrested Taufiq Pailwan, a friend of Reshma, from near Halasangi Cross in Indi taluk of Vijayapura district on June 3. 

DySP Maheshwara Gowda Patil had left for Solapur along with constable, Mallikarjun Poojary, and middleman, Riaz Kokatanura, on Wednesday. They met the accused at a spot that was pre-determined and placed demand for five lac rupees. After discussions, the bribe amount was reduced to one lac rupees, it is said. When the police were accepting the bribe, Maharashtra ACB police raided the spot and arrested Mallikarjun and Riaz. DySP succeeded in fleeing from the spot, and Maharashtra police are hunting for him. A complaint about the incident stands filed in Sadar Bazar police station, Solapur. 

Relatives of Reshma murder accused had informed Maharashtra ACB about the demand made by the police. Vijayapura district superintendent of police, Prakash Nikkam, said that Mallikarjun Poojary has been suspended with immediate effect as he was caught in the ACB net.