Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Sep 30: The investigation into the murder of AKMS private bus owner Saifuddin alias Saif (52), who was providing transport services in Udupi and Mangaluru districts, is progressing further. Earlier, three accused were arrested, and now, another three have been taken into custody for interrogation, informed district superintendent of police Hariram Shankar.
During the investigation, it was revealed that among those arrested, Mohammad Sharif (37) and Abdul Shukur (43) of Mangaluru were also key accused in the 2020 murder of Vasishtha under the jurisdiction of Hiriyadka police station, along with the recently murdered Saifuddin. The third accused, Mohammad Faizal Khan (27), was closely associated with Saifuddin, managing all his bus operations and working as his trusted aide.
SP Shankar stated that before the murder, Faizal Khan had taken Saifuddin in a car from his residence in Manipal to another house at Kodavoor. Two other accused accompanied them. As Saifuddin entered a house near Salmar Nagabana, the trio attacked him with rods and swords, killing him on the spot, as revealed by the preliminary investigation.
Saifuddin, who owned the AKMS buses, was also listed as a rowdy-sheeter at Udupi and Hiriyadka police stations, with more than 18 criminal cases registered against him, including two murder cases. The police are probing whether the trio killed him due to personal enmity or acted at someone else’s instigation.
The SP further noted that Saifuddin was lured from one house to another, with the accused waiting for him at his Manipal residence beforehand. This indicates that the murder was not an act of sudden rage but a premeditated crime. Investigations are also underway to determine whether the accused received financial support or if they were hired by others to carry out the attack.
The SP cautioned that vested interests are spreading unverified information on social media regarding the murder, which could disturb communal harmony. He urged the public not to believe or spread rumours, assuring that the police are thoroughly investigating the matter.