Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Dec 17: In a shocking incident, a fight which arose between two people under the influence of alcohol, culminated with the murder of one among them.

Preetham has been identified as the deceased.

Dattaraj, a resident of Katapdi, owns a fishing boat. He had gone fishing on the night of December 10 along with his workers Katpadi resident Rajesh, Thottam resident Girish, Orissa resident Preetham and Birendra and Koppal resident Maruthi. They returned in the boat to Malpe port on December 16. They emptied the fish and anchored it at Baputhota deck in the evening.

Rajesh and Girish returned to their houses in the night. Birendra went to Orissa on vacation. Maruthi and Preetham slept in the boat at night.

Dattaraj and Rajesh came back on December 17 and moved the boat for repairs. Only Maruthi was in the boat then. Marks of blood could be seen inside the cabin deck glass. When Dattaraj and Rajesh peeped in, the body of Preetham was found inside the engine room with deep wound on his head.

According to police sources, Maruthi and Preetham fought in the boat for unknown reason under the influence of alcohol. Maruti reportedly hit Preetham with a sharp weapon killing him. He then pushed the body into the engine room.

A case in this regard has been registered at Malpe police station.