from our special correspondent from Udupi / Mangalore
Udupi / Mangalore, Jan 15: It is certainly the end of a long, blood-soaked 'innings'.
A village lad from Kolachekambla, who once made a living from fishing in the Shambhavi river in Mulki, after years had become a quite feared and formidable don.
A native revolver found in Rafiq's possession
He already had 20 cases related to murder, abduction and the likefiled against him in various police stations in and around Mangalore like Muli, Barke, Mangalore East, Uallal, Manipal, Bajpe and Mangalore south, besides one in the Churchgate station in Mumbai. The escape from police custody on Friday night at Devarakolli near Madikeri was the 21st case filed against him.
While playing cricket regularly in his native place, he got in touch with some gang members. As a cricket player, he is said to have caught the attention of Zohara, hailing from Kinnigoli, already married and a mother of three girls. After her husband divorced her, they got got married and had two male hildren. All the five children were said to be living with Zohara thereafter.
Ever since, Rafiq got involved with several cases of murder and violence. Along with him, Zohara was also arrested for her role in some cases and is currently lodged in Mysore jail.
IGP Satyanarayana Rao addressing mediapersons on Sunday. SP Dayananda and ASP Lokesh Kumar are also seen
Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday, western range IGP H N Satyanarayana Rao said that a railway ticket to Mumbai and Rs 1,200 in cash were found on the person of Rafiq after he was gunned down. He had a country-made revolover and had fired two rounds at the cops. Pandeshwar inspector Venkatesh Prasanna and Panambur inspector Gangi Reddy fired five rounds each and Rafiq collapsed on the ground. On being taken the government hospital in Ajjarkad, Udupi he was declared dead.
The IGP hinted that such encounters were justified when there the lives of law-enforcing personnel were in danger.
A police official, speaking to Daijiworld on condition of anonymity, said that after years of pursuing a case by the police, hardcore criminals get away and walk scotfree from the courts. Long-winding legal process and loopholes also help criminals to be acquitted. Not many tears would be shed if such criminals are eliminated and a clear signal to potential culprits had been sent, said the official.
Earlier Reports:
Rafiq Encounter: Spot Report
Sunday, 12-05 pm
with inputs from RK and Dayanand Kukkaje
The encounter took place around 5-50 am on Sunday on the godown road beside the Udupi railway station. Inspectors Venkatesh Prasanna and Gangi Reddy led the team.
On Friday night, Rafiq escaped from police custody while in transit from Mangalore to Mysore jail. He had vanished into the thick forest area. A Maruti Zen car was said to be trailing the police vehicle and Rafiq appeared to have been whisked away in that car.
The police had been monitoring the calls made by Rafiq from his mobile phone. They were traced to the mobile tower in Udupi. Immediately the police rushed there and kept waiting for him. Apparently, Rafiq had planned to leave by the train leaving for Mumbai at 6-00 pm.
On spotting him, the police asked him to surrender. But instead he reportedly fired two rounds of shots at them. The police responded with ten rounds and he crashed to the ground.
On hearing the news, western range IGP Satyanarayana Rao, DK SP Dayananda, Udupi SP Subramanyeshwar Rao and Udupi ASP Satish Kumar rushed to the spot with their force.
Rafiq was dropped by an unidentified person on his motorbike according to the police. They are trying to trace his identity.
The developments took place so fast and the operation was kept totally under the covers. Udupi police sources informed our correspondent that they came to know about the encounter only when they were asked to prepare the first information report (FIR) soon after Rafiq was gunned down on Sunday morning.
Since Rafiq hailed from Kolachekambla in Mulki, security has been tightened in Mulki area to prevent any untoward incident. Rafiq's wife is in Mysore jail under custody. She is reportedly being brought to Mangalore to enable her to attend the funeral rites.
Pictures from the spot
Update: Sunday, Jan 14, 11-45 am
Pics RK Durga Digitals
Spot where exchange of fire took place; revolver belonging to Rafiq is seen
Public gathered at the spot
IGP Satyanarayana Rao, DK SP Dayananda and Udupi SP Subramanyeshwar Rao at the spot
IGP Satyanarayana Rao having a look at the body
Mulki Rafiq Shot Dead at Indrali near Udupi
Udupi, Jan 14: Mulki Rafiq, main accused in the Sukhanand Shetty murder case and also accuse in many other cases, was reportedly shot dead in a police encounter around 5 am near Indrali railway station here.
Rafiq had escaped from police custody while in transit at Devaralkolli in the Sampaje ghat area near Madikeri on Friday night.
It has baffled the police and the public alike as to how he managed to reach Udupi within day, evading hectic combing operation that had been going on for over 24 hours.