Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Mar 28: The brutal murder of a rowdy-sheeter and fish trader in the early hours of Friday on the NH-66 flyover at Thokkottu, is suspected to have been carried out due to prior enmity.
The deceased Arif Hussain (42) alias ‘Tablet Arif’, was a resident of Uchila Mullugudde and a rowdy-sheeter at Bunder police station. The incident occurred around 4.30 am on March 27, when Arif was travelling from Uchila to the Mangaluru fishing harbour on his Bullet bike. A group of assailants, travelling in an Innova car, rammed his bike from behind on the flyover and then attacked him with swords, killing him on the spot.
As the incident occurred in the early hours, no one initially noticed the crime. Motorists who passed by initially informed the police about a possible accident. However, upon reaching the spot, the police suspected foul play and later confirmed it as a murder after identifying the victim. Senior police officials, including the DCP and ACP, visited the scene, and the dog squad and forensic (SOCO) team collected evidence. A murder case has been registered at Ullal police station.
Flyover a vulnerable spot
Though the flyover is well-lit at night, it remains deserted during early morning hours, making it a vulnerable location. Police suspect that the accused had pre-planned the crime after identifying the spot. The absence of CCTV cameras on the flyover, coupled with barricades on both sides, has made it a hotspot for such crimes. Authorities believe that installation of high-definition CCTV cameras could help in quicker detection of culprits.
Earlier murder attempt
Arif had previously survived a murder attempt on May 24, 2022, at Uchila Mullugudde. A group of four, including Naufal, had attacked him with swords while he was on his way to work at the fishing harbour. The attackers, who had hidden inside a car, emerged and assaulted him before fleeing.
The motive behind that attack was linked to a financial dispute. Arif’s brother Kareem had borrowed Rs 60,000 from Naufal and his associates and had agreed to pay additional interest. However, he failed to repay the amount on time, following which the accused seized his fishing equipment. Though Kareem later repaid the principal amount and retrieved the equipment, he had not paid Rs 7,000 as interest. This led to a dispute between both groups, resulting in the attack on Arif.
Accused fled in auto-rickshaw?
The Innova car used by the assailants was found abandoned around 8 am at Budoli under Vittal police station limits. It is suspected that the accused abandoned the car due to a technical issue and fled the spot in an auto-rickshaw. Police suspect that they may have travelled towards Bengaluru and have dispatched teams to trace them.
Multiple cases against victim
Arif, who was engaged in fish trade at the harbour, had nine cases of assault and attempted assault registered against him between 1998 and 2021 at Barke, Bunder, and most recently at Pandeshwar police station in 2021. Originally a resident of Kudroli, he had shifted with his family to K C Road due to repeated cases. No cases were registered against him after that, though he faced a murder attempt in 2022.
Rented vehicle used
It is said that one of the main accused is from Ullal, and the Innova car was rented from his acquaintance two days ago. Though the car owner is originally from Kerala, he resides in Ullal. Police have taken the car owner into custody after tracing the vehicle in Vittal.
In 2022, rowdy-sheeter Naufal, a resident of Bajal, along with his team, had attempted to murder Arif over a financial dispute involving his brother Kareem. That case was later settled. However, in November 2025, Naufal alias Toppi Naufal was found dead near Uppala railway gate. Though initially suspected to be a murder, Manjeshwar police later registered it as a railway accident and closed the case. However, Naufal’s associates had expressed anger on social media, alleging it to be an act of revenge. It is also learnt that Arif had reportedly expressed happiness over Naufal’s death, which further angered his associates. Additionally, Arif is suspected to have had a recent altercation at the harbour with the father of one of the accused from Ullal.
Police suspect that a group of six persons from Ullal, Suratkal, Vamanjoor, and Bantwal, carrying past grudges, executed the crime. Multiple police teams have been formed, and further investigation is underway.