Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jun 24: Krishnappa Poojary (35) from Padekaria in Kolnad village, who was arrested by the Vittal policemen on Monday June 22 in connection with the murder of pump mechanic from Salettur Chandrashekhar Bhandary(60), was remanded to judicial custody by the local court on Tuesday June 23.

The policemen have recovered two lac rupees in cash and gold ornaments worth Rs 30,000 from the accused.

It may be recalled, that the body of Chandrashekhar Bhandary, a native of Salmara in Puttur, who used to eke out a living by repairing pumpsets at Salettur near Vittal, was found buried under the sand on the banks of Kadumutt rivulet on June 18. Bhandary, a bachelor, used to sleep on the porticos of houses all the three decades of his life in Salettur. As a share in the sale proceeds of a property that belonged to his family, Bhandary had received Rs 9.49 lac about eight months ago.

Bhandary is said to have informed Krishnappa Poojary that he plans to buy a house and land for himself. Poojary, on whom Bhandary had reposed lot of trust, convinced Bhandary to raise a loan of Rs 4.20 lac out of the deposit Bhandary had made in Ammembal Cooperative Bank and make out a demand draft in favour of Satish from Mangalapadav, who happens to be a close friend of Krishnappa. The demand draft was encashed through Vittal branch of Vijaya Bank.  When the accused was admitted for two weeks last month with kidney-related complications, Bhandary had helped in getting him treated.

It is said, the accused, with the help of his friend Satish, took Bhandary, who was fully drunk, to Kadumutt Bridge on the pretext of showing him the proposed land and while Bhandary went to the rivulet to take bath, he was killed by pressing his head and holding it under water for several minutes. Reportedly, Poojary buried the body by covering it with sand. While returning next day, Poojary saw that one of the legs of the murdered man was protruding out of soil. He again poured sand on the leg to conceal it.

The policemen say, the accused has confessed to the crime. He also has admitted to have stolen gold ornaments from the house of Vishwanath Rai, Kolnad Padekaria about 18 months back.