Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 23: A team of policemen headed by the police inspector of Malpe police station, Srikanth, has succeeded in arresting an accused, who had fled after murdering his fellow rag picker a few days back.

The arrested accused has been identified as Sekharappa (65) from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. He is facing the charge of murdering his friend, Madhava Tingalaya (65) with a hammer on the night of April 11.

Madhava Tingalaya and Shekharappa used to earn their livelihood by working as rag pickers. They used to sell the waste collected by them on daily basis, and lived together. Although they quarrelled frequently, they also turned normal immediately thereafter.

On April 11, many had seen the two together. They had slept in the shed belonging to the department of fisheries at Malpe, which was used for storing dried fish. On the next day, Tingalaya was found dead with a deep wound on his head, while Shekharappa had gone missing. A hammer was found by the side of the body.

Reportedly, during questioning, Shekharappa revealed that he was often hit by Tingalaya. He said that on April 11, he hit Tingalaya back after facing his onslaught, as a result of which Tingalaya died. The accused was produced in the court.