Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 25: In a major breakthrough in the high-profile murder case of notorious rowdy-sheeter Arif Hussain alias “Tablet Arif”, the Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) police on Sunday arrested another accused allegedly linked to the conspiracy and execution of the brutal killing that had sent shockwaves across coastal Karnataka earlier this year.
The arrested accused has been identified as Mohammed Ibrahim Sinan alias Chinnu (21), a resident of Shantinagar near Siriseeme Nursery in Bajal Nanthoor, Padil. Police said he was currently staying in a rented house at Vijayanagar, behind the railway station in Padil, Mangaluru.
According to investigators, Sinan allegedly played a key role in the conspiracy hatched to eliminate Arif Hussain and is suspected to have provided financial assistance to the assailants involved in the murder.
The sensational killing took place in the early hours of March 27, 2026, within the jurisdiction of Ullal police station. Police said Arif was riding his motorcycle across the Thokkottu flyover when a gang travelling in a car intercepted him, rammed his bike, and launched a deadly assault using lethal weapons. Arif succumbed to the injuries on the spot.
Following the murder, the accused reportedly abandoned the vehicle used in the crime at Budoli in Bantwal taluk before fleeing. A case was initially registered at Ullal police station and was later handed over to the CCB for an intensive investigation.
During the course of the probe, investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that Sinan had attended meetings held in February 2026 where the alleged conspiracy to murder Arif Hussain was discussed. Police further stated that he had financially aided the accused who later executed the attack.
Police records reveal that Sinan already has a criminal background. An attempt-to-murder case was registered against him in 2025 under the limits of Kankanady Town police station, while an assault case was booked against him in 2024 under Mangaluru North police station limits.
Investigators also disclosed that Sinan is the brother of deceased rowdy-sheeter “Toppi Naufal”, a name well known to law enforcement agencies in the region.
With the latest arrest, the total number of accused taken into custody in the case has risen further. Those previously arrested include Mohammed Rifath Ali, Ibrahim Khalil, Ashfaq alias Juttu Ashfaq, Ummar Farooq Irfan, Mohammed Shakir, Mohammed Rizwan alias Rizwan, Mohammed Irshad alias Akudu, Mohammed Harshad, Nishaq alias Pucche Nishaq, B Junaid alias Kokkada Junaid, and Mohammed Suhail alias Chiya.
All the accused are currently lodged in judicial custody.
Police said investigations are continuing under the provisions of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA), indicating that authorities suspect the involvement of an organised criminal network behind the murder.