Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 4: A day after the horrific murder of 32-year-old Deepak Rao at Katipalla in Suratkal limits, ADGP Kamal Pant on Thursday January 4 narrated how the police chased down the culprits while they were trying to escape, and arrested them by opening fire. He also announced a reward for the police team involved in the operation and assured that the case would be investigated from all angles.

Addressing a press meet at the police commissioner's office here, the ADGP said, "Yesterday (January 3) there was an unfortunate incident at Katipalla where a 32-year-old was murdered. We got information about a white Swift D'zire and the car's registration number. All the police teams including Mulky police and those at the checkposts were alerted.

"Home guard Harish then passed on information about the white car in which the accused were trying to escape. They were chased in a private vehicle but as they did not stop, the police had to open fire near Moodbidri. Two of the accused were caught while two others managed to escape.

"PSI Mulky Shridhar Chandrahas, CCB inspector Shantharam, and Mulky inspector Sheetal Algur went in search of the vehicle and the car was found near Daddigiri in a ditch. But the accused attacked the policemen and the police had to fire at both the accused causing injuries to their legs," he said.

Lauding the police for their brave effort, he said, "We highly appreciate the work of the 6 policemen and announce a reward of Rs 1,20,000 to the team."

Speaking on the case, he said, "Investigation is on. We will get into all possible details to find the actual motive and conspiracy behind the murder. There are 2-3 possibilities. We will look into all the possible dynamics of the case."

He also informed that among the arrested, Pinky Nawaz and Rizwan sustained injuries to their legs and are under treatment, while Naushad and Irshan have been taken into custody.

Naushad is a resident of Kinnigoli while the other three are from Krishnapura.

Pinky Nawaz faces 10 cases registered in various police stations, while Rizwan is an accused in two cases, and Naushad and Irshan in one case each.

"We have formed two teams, one to investigate Deepak Rao's murder and the other to probe the two stabbing cases at Kottara Chowki and Suratkal," the ADGP said.

Asked about motive behind the Katipalla murder, he said, "As per the complainant, issue over buntings at Katipalla may have triggered the murder. Investigation is on and we will probe deeper to find the exact motive behind the murder.

With regard to police deployment in and around Mangaluru to maintain law and order, he said that 18 KSRP squads, 10 city armed police, 6 DAR, 300 personnel from Tumakuru, Udupi and Kodagu districts and 4 SPs are in the city to assist the security arrangements. On Friday January 5, one each of SP rank and ASP rank officers will join.

Reward in the form of cheques were distributed to the police team involved in the arrest operation.

Police commissioner T R Suresh, SP Sudheer Kumar Reddy, former city police commissioner Chandra Sekhar were also present.