Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangalru, Jul 26: Through a judgement delivered on Monday July 25, district and sessions judge, Uma M G, sentenced five murder-accused after holding them guilty of the offence. They have been charged with the murder of Siddappa (29) from Kadlamatti village in Bagalkot district, who was living in Kuntrame Kuntimane.

The accused, Muhammed Ansar (39), Muhammed Naufal (23), Muhammed Saleem (26), Abdul Basheer (29), and Abdul Naushad (32) from Balkurgudde, Kannur, were awarded life sentence by the court. In addition, they have also been handed down additional three years of jail term for destruction of evidence and fine of Rs 10,000 each.

Kasturi alias Renuka, who had come to Dakshina Kannada district in the company of her husband, Siddappa, seeking better living conditions, had begun to have illicit relationship with Muhammed Ansarl. She had left her son in Muhammed's house, and in this guise, often visited Muhammed, it was alleged. Frustrated over this development, Siddappa had shared his grief with some close ones.

Angered by the fact that their names were getting spoilt among the public, the accused along with Kasturi hatched a plan to eliminate Siddappa. On February 4, 2007, they led Siddappa to Balkurgudde, killed him there, and buried his body before returning, it is learnt.

As Siddappa did not visit his native as usual at least once a year, his younger brother had filed missing case in rural station here after three years. The police, who took Kasturi into custody and questioned, got to know the truth behind Siddappa's disappearance. On the basis of Kasturi's confession, other accused were arrested. The court held them guilty and sentenced them to life terms.

The other accused, Kasturi, has absconded after securing bail. Case stands registered against her. Efforts to trace her are on. On behalf of the prosecution, public prosecutor, K Pushparaj Adyantaya, had presented arguments.