Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 5: A young man, who had gone to swim with some friends in River Nandini near Shibarur temple at Soorinje, Suratkal, died under suspicious circumstances. The general perception is that this could be an act of murder, not accident.

Maqsood (25) from Krishnapura, Suratkal, had gone with four of his friends for swimming in the river on the evening of Tuesday October 3. Maqsood, a driver by profession, had not returned even at night. Concerned parents had questioned the friends who had accompanied their son about the whereabouts of Maqsood, but reportedly the friends gave them evasive replies.

A missing complaint was thereafter filed in Suratkal police station. On Wednesday morning, the police took into custody all the four friends who were with Maqsood on that day and began questioning them. They also launched an elaborate hunt for Maqsood, with the help of expert divers from Tannirbavi, who also used oxygen and rubber boat for the operation. Initially, the cellphone and wrist watch of Maqsood were found on the river bank. At the end of the operation that went on from Tuesday midnight to Wednesday afternoon, the divers succeeded in retrieving his lifeless body of Maqsood.

All the four persons now in police custody are being subjected to intense questioning. While the parents of Maqsood swear that it is a clear case of planned murder. The police have not yet got definite clues to conclude that it was a murder, it is gathered. Investigation is continuing.

During the questioning, friends of Maqsood reportedly confessed at the end that Maqsood had told them that he knew how to swim before venturing into the river. They stated that Maqsood, who was not conversant with the water draught and depth of the river, had entered the river to swim and that their efforts to save him after seeing him fight for his life did not succeed. It is not known whether the youth slipped and fell into the water.

City police commissioner Suresh, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, city corporator Ayaz and others visited the spot. Panambur assistant commissioner of police Rajendra, Suratkal police inspectors Cheluvaraju and Ananathapadmanabha and others remained at the spot during the search operation to guide the concerned.

As there was a huge crowd at the spot, tight police security was arranged. Security has been beefed up in Suratkal, Katipalla and Krishnaur by deploying contingents of reserve police force.