Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (SP)
Madikeri, Sep 20: Policemen from the district have arrested three persons in connection with the killing of former zilla panchayat vice president, Iqbal Hassan, when having food in a hotel in Virajpet on September 17.
The arrested accused have been named as K U Anish, K A Moosan, and K H Ajmuddin, all from Chamiyala village, which also happens to the place to which Hassan belongs.
A double barrel gun which was said to have been used for the above killing, two empty cartridges, and a Maruti Alto car owned by Anish in which the accused had fled after slaining Hassan, were taken into possession from the accused.
District superintendent of police (SP), Vartika Katiyar, gave details of the police operation relating to the case at a press conference held in her office on Friday September 19. She said that local Muslims were divided over the management of the mosque at Chamiyala, and that Iqbal Hassan was gunned down relating to this dispute.
The three accused had arrived at Sangam Hotel in Virajpet by a car at around 3.30 pm on September 17 and shot at Iqbal who was dining there. In the incident, Chandrashekhar from Shivakeri, who was also at the hotel at the time, had suffered bullet injuries to his leg.
The accused were produced in court after arresting them in the court at Virajpet whereupon they were remanded to judicial custody till October 1. The double barrel gun belongs to K A Usman, father of Anish who fired at Hassan, it is gathered.
Along with SP, Vartika, and Virajpet deputy superintendent of police, Kumarchandra who provided guidance for the operation, circle inspector, K R Prasad, police sub-inspectors, Suresh Bopanna and K K Raghu were involved with the operation.