Mangalore: Simple Brawl Leads to Gunfire at Kodikal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Aug 16: An estate owner has opened fire from his licensed gun, in a fit of anger here on Saturday August 16 afternoon.

A 50 year old rubber estate owner Thomas Mathew has opened fire on an auto rickshaw at Kodical, here on Saturday afternoon.

Backdrop of case:

Geetraj, a bakery products vendor had engaged a three wheeler tempo of Manohar, to retail his products and on his usual rounds, he has procured the requirements from a shop located at Kodical, owned by a certain Rajam.

However, when he delivered the items the lady Rajam, said that it was nearing expiry or stale.  Geetaraj denied her allegations since the product has over a month of expiry printed on the wrapper.  At that moment, her neighbour Thomas Mathew tried to intervene and demanded to replace them with latest stock and long expiry.  Geetraj refused to heed to his demand since he had no other stock except the one supplied to Rajam bearing the same expiry date.  This irked Thomas who quietly withdrew from the scene and appeared with a barrel gun.  Geetraj and his fellow driver, sensing the danger already hid themselves in the vicinity. 

Thomas Mathew, who is suffering from high blood pressure since the past few years, vented his anger on sales representative Geetraj, by opening fire into the windshield and tyres of their three wheeler tempo. 

The tense situation prevailed for some time till the policemen from Urwa police station arrived at the spot.  However, no one was hurt in the shoot-out.  The policemen have taken custody of all the three persons involved in this incident.