Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (MS)
Bantwal, Jan 13: Police have begun the probe into the suspicious death case of a Hindu activist in Panemangalore here.
The body of 38-year-old Rajesh Poojary was recovered from the Netravathi river on Thursday. Rajesh was actively involved in Hindutva activities and also worked as Prakand Goraksha Pramukh.
The public observed his bike near the river bridge and informed the police. Hindu activists are suspecting Rajesh to be a victim of revenge killing for being very actively involved with them.
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Co- Convenor Sharan Pumpwell has demanded a high-level probe into the incident. Rajesh was a resident of Sajipa and his suspicious death has created a tense situation in the communally sensitive region.
The police sources said that they have already begun questioning people. The police are tight-lipped about the findings of preliminary investigations as any information regarding the case would lead to the law and order situation in the district and coastal region.
Rajesh's family member have suspected foul play in his death.
Rajesh had gone to centering work on the morning of January 11 and did not return home. An UDR (Unnatural Death Report) is filed in city police station by Dayananda Kucchuru, brother-in-law of deceased Rajesh.
Dheeraj, a relative of Dayanand, informed that two wheeler of Rajesh was found lying on the old Panemangalore bridge. At that time it came to light that Rajesh has not returned home. Later, his body was found in the river. Police are investigating the case as per complaint filed by Dayanand.
According to close friends of deceased, he did not have any personal or family issues forcing him to end his life.
District SP Rishikesh Sonawane visited the spot. Forensic experts from Mangaluru also inspected the spot. Bantwal DySP Pratap Singh Thorat, SI Vivekananda, PSIs and personnel are investigating the matter.
Rajesh was the only son of Nagesh Poojary couple. His only sister was already married off. Rajesh used to live with his parents at home.
Earlier, BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Kumar Nettare was hacked to death by a gang of miscreants last year in the region which became a national news. The probe showed that he was targeted in the backdrop of the hijab crisis.
The investigation also showed that the attack was a retaliation to the murder of Muslim youth, Masood. However, the probe revealed that Masood was killed in a road rage case.
The very next day of Praveen's murder, a gang hacked local youth Fazil to death. The killers confessed to the police that he was killed to avenge the murder of Praveen.
The region witnesses communal tension often and the incident of suspicious death of Hindu activist Rajesh is also threatening to develop into a crisis situation.
With inputs from IANS