Mumtaz Ali missing case: Search operations continue as police probe multiple angles

Team Udayavani, Oct 7, 2024, 8:44 AM IST

Search operation underway near the Kuloor bridge on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Panambur/Mangaluru: B M Mumtaz Ali (52), the brother of former Mangaluru North MLA Mohiuddin Bava and the Chairman of the Misbah Group of Educational Institutions, has gone missing. His brand-new BMW was found in a damaged condition near the Kuloor bridge on Sunday morning, raising suspicions of a suicide attempt.

Ali’s mobile phone and car keys were discovered inside the vehicle, leading investigators to suspect he may have jumped into the river. A team of seven scuba divers, including expert Eshwar Malpe, has been searching the area but has found no trace of Ali so far. The NDRF team has also joined the search operation, which continued into late Sunday night without any breakthrough.

Ali left home around 3:00 AM on Sunday in his car, heading towards Suratkal. He was reportedly driving in an agitated state after an accident with a private bus near the MCF factory. Shortly after, he sent a voice message in the Beary language to his daughter and a friend, stating, “I won’t return, I am going to God.” Alarmed by the message, his family members immediately began searching for him, eventually finding his car near the Kuloor bridge.

7 Scuba Divers Search the River

At the request of local authorities, a team led by diving expert Ishwar Malpe combed the deep areas of the river. The search faced challenges as the construction of the bridge had left debris like iron rods and cement sacks in the water, which could be obstructing recovery efforts. Divers expressed confidence that if Ali had jumped, his body would likely surface soon, as the river’s flow was not swift enough to carry it to the sea.

Investigations Taking Multiple Angles

Before disappearing, Ali reportedly mentioned about a man who had allegedly been harassing him in a voice message. The police have detained three suspects in connection with the case. There are growing suspicions that Ali may have been a victim of blackmail or a honey trap, with one woman reportedly involved in extorting money from him. However, no official complaint has been filed on this matter yet.

Case Registered, Missing Person Investigation Underway

Ali’s daughter lodged a complaint at Kavoor police station after discovering her father’s car with its front end severely damaged and no sign of him inside. The family raised concerns about multiple suspicious factors surrounding his disappearance.

City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal visited the scene and directed the search efforts. He informed the media that Ali was believed to have jumped from the bridge, as no other clues had surfaced. Forensic officers examined the vehicle, and police gathered information from the family for further investigation.

Search Operations Continue Despite Rain

The search resumed early Sunday morning and extended late into the night, though heavy rains temporarily halted efforts. Operations spanned from Kuloor to Bengre and Kudru, with a focus on river areas where Ali might have been trapped in the debris. The prolonged absence of any solid clues has left the case shrouded in mystery, with authorities suspecting foul play, including blackmail and abduction attempts.

Bitter Memories of 2019 Siddhartha Case

Ali’s disappearance has drawn parallels to the 2019 case of Café Coffee Day owner V.G. Siddhartha, who had jumped from the Netravati River bridge near Mangaluru. Siddhartha’s body was found 4.5 km downstream three days after he went missing. Many locals recalled the tragic incident as they await updates on Ali’s case.

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