Daijworld Media Network – Moodbidri (SP)
Moodbidri, May 18: The policemen have claimed that Harish, who has been arrested in connection with the murder of Malati (22), working as store keeper for a firm in Beluvai near here on a deserted stretch of the road at Kaddbail in Padukonaje village on Monday night, had in fact raped her after smothering her to death. He was in fact, a distant relative of the deceased woman.
It is said that Harish, 18, who has several vices, followed Malati when she alighted from a bus at Houdal, and started walking through the deserted road leading to her home. When he pestered her for sexual favours when she was about a kilometre away from her home, she refused to oblige. He then stuffed clothes into her mouth, smothered, and then raped her, as per his confession to the policemen.
He is said to have gone home and revealed to his parents what had happened. The family of Malati, who were aware of Harish’s behaviour, were wary of him since some time, it is learnt. When the villagers went in search for Harish, he was at home, but his parents tried to protect him by claiming that he was not at home. But the villagers entered his home, found him there, and handed him over to the policemen.