Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Oct 12: A person was shot at and killed at Shanivarasanthe in Kodagu district on Monday October 10 on silly pretext. The owner of a service station gunned down his customer who was demanding for urgent wash of his car.

The victim in this case was Shekhar (45), a timber merchant from Gundu Rao extension in Shanivarasanthe. Three persons including the main accused stand arrested. The arrested persons have been identified as owner of the service station, Abdul Rabba, his wife, Shajida Banu, and brother, Akram Pasha.

Shekhar had brought his Mahindra vehicle to Ghousia Service Station on bypass road in Shanivarasanthe on Monday morning. He wanted the car to be washed for performing Ayudha Puja that day. Shekhar had requested owner of the service station to hasten through the washing process as he wanted to perform puja to the vehicle. It is said that Abdul overlooked his request and arranged for washing of a couple of cars which had arrived at the station behind Shekhar. Shekhar had questioned the owner for washing cars which had come after his arrival. This gave rise to verbal altercation between Shekhar and Abdul, culminating in physical fight.

People on the spot intervened in the quarrel and struck truce between the two. Shekhar informed the rough treatment he got at the service station to his friends, Fayeed and son, Dhanush, over cellphone. Abdul got in touch with his brother, Akram Pasha, and others to inform the development. Soon people from both the sides gathered at the service station.

When the two groups were engaged in exchange of heated words, Abdul Rabba rushed to his home located by the side of the service station and asked wife, Shajida Banu, give his revolver. He then came out, and fired six rounds at the chest of Shekhar, who was seated inside the car, from point blank range. Shekar sustained bullet injuries to his temple, mouth, back, chest etc. Abdul also tried to fire at Dhanush and Fayeed, who were seated in the back seat but the people helped them escape from the firing. Shekhar, who was seriously injured, died when being taken to hospital.

As soon as the news spread, angry people torched the service station as well the house of its owner. A car, a truck, and two motor bikes owned by Abdul turned to ashes in this incident. Tension spread in the town. Family members of Shekhar, with the support of locals, placed the body of Shekhar in front of the local police station and held protest. MLA, Appachchu Ranjan, and senior police officials rushed to the spot and succeeded in convincing the protesters to withdraw the protest.

The police are said to be looking for another accused relating to the case. The revolver used for the murder has been recovered. District superintendent of police, Rajendra Prasad, said that tight security has been arranged all over the district as a precautionary measure.