Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 4: A team of Corps of Detectives (COD), entrusted with the task of investigating the murder of young city-based advocate, Preetam Kumar, about two years ago, visited the city and made enquiries with some lawyers here on Tuesday January 3.

Preetam Kumar had disappeared under mysterious circumstances during January, 2010, never to be seen again. Although the policemen insisted that a partly decomposed body they had recovered later belonged to Preetam, the family did not agree. In a petition moved in the state High Court, Preetam’s mother had alleged that her son was abducted and murdered because of the fact that he loved the daughter of a government official here, who is a relative of a state minister.  She also said she believed tacit support of the said minister in her son’s killing.

As the case relating to the issue is before the court, the advocates are no prepared to speak about it. It is said that the COD officials informed the advocates that DNA tests have confirmed that the DNA of Preetam, and a partly composed unidentified body the policemen had claimed to be Preetam’s, match with each other.

Mangalore Bar Association president, S P Chengappa said that the association has already filed a writ petition, seeking to hand over the case to Central Bureau of Investigation. He revealed that they are yet to get a certified copy of the DNA test report, which the investigating officials have been referring to. Umesh, father of Preetam, said that COD officials have not contacted him.