Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Nov 30: The police have arrested one more accused in the murder of Harish Poojary that took place on November 12.
Addressing a press meet here on Monday November 30, SP Dr Sharanappa said that the accused arrested is Mithun (27), a rowdysheeter, and the main accused in the case.
Mithun was arrested on November 30 at 6.30 am near Puttur bus stand, the SP said.
Sharanappa further said that apart from Harish murder case, Mithun is an accused in one murder case, three attempt-to-murder cases and 8 other cases in Bantwal police station, and one in Vittal police station.
Harish Poojary was murdered on the night of November 12 at Manihalla near BC Road, when he and his friend Samiulla were returning from a cricket match. Samiulla was injured in the incident. A week after the murder, the police arrested Bhuvith Shetty and Achyuta, both belonging to a right-wing outfit. The police had said that it was a case of mistaken identity, as the attackers had believed Harish to be from the minority community.
During the press meet, in response to a query, SP Sharanappa said that Mithun also belongs to a right-wing outfit. "Once we arrest the other two accused in the case, we will reveal everything. As investigation is still on, we cannot reveal details," he said.
"We have recovered the murder weapon but are yet to trace the car used in the crime," he added.
"We have arrested only the accused and not any innocent. No one should circulate messages that police have arrested innocents in the case. We will not arrest anyone without reason," he stressed.
Two absconding accused arrested
The police have arrested two accused in an assault case which took place five years ago in Sullia. The accused were absconding abroad.
Shareef (25) and Muneer B M (26), both from Ajjavar, Sullia, were arrested for allegedly assaulting Shafi (32) and K H Naushir on April 4, 2010.
Among the two, Shareef was arrested at Kochi airport on October 10 and produced in court, while Muneer was arrested on Monday November 30 at Calicut International Airport.
"As per the complaint lodged by the victims, on April 4, 2010, Shafi, a resident of Ajjavar along with Naushir of the same village were riding towards Aivarnadu, when, at around 8 pm, 15 persons came in bikes chased the duo and hit Shafi's bike. They then assaulted the two with iron rods.
The police then filed a chargesheet against nine of the accused. Arrest warrant was issued against Shareef and Muneer after they failed to appear in the court. During investigation, it was learnt that the two had gone absconding abroad. On May 5, 2014, a lookout notice was issued against them.
Presently, the Sullia police have gone to Kozhikode to take custody of the accused, the SP said.
ASP Vincent Shanthakumar was present at the press meet.