Hussainabba suspicious death: SI and 3 policemen arrested

Team Udayavani, Jun 4, 2018, 10:25 AM IST

Udupi: The suspicious death of cattle trader has undergone a major development with the arrest of the Sub inspector and three policemen for allegedly working hand-in-glove with VHP and Bajarang Dal workers.

In a press note, superintendent of police SP Laxman Nimbargi revealed that the Hiriadka police had deliberately tried to cover up the case as they were working hand-in-glove with the VHP and Bajrang Dal workers.

The arrested policemen include Hiriadka sub-inspector D N Kumar, police jeep driver Gopal, and head constable Mohan Kotwal. They have admitted of being involved in the crime during interrogation.

On the wee hours of May 30^th, Hussainabba (61) along with others was transporting cattle, allegedly illegally when Bajrang Dal activists waylaid his vehile at Perdoor.  While the others managed to escape, Hussainabba was found dead later.

The death of Hussainabba seemed suspicious as it was under unknown circumstances but his family alleged that Bajrang Dal activists had beaten him to death. However, the police claimed that he died of a heart attack. The police had a role in the case, alleged the locals.

The investigation into the matter revealed that the main accused Suri alias Surya, a local VHP leader along with other Bajrang Dal activists had brutally assaulted Hussainabba. Due to his age Hussainabba was unable to outrun his pursuers.  Hiriadka police inspector was present when the murder took place, alleged the deceased family ib their complaint.

To investigate the murder, the SP had formed three teams. The investigation revealed that at around 1 am on May 30^th,the Hiriadka police received a call informing about cattle trafficking. At around 4 am, the police along with the accused Suri and his gang lay in wait at Shenarabettu near Perdoor for the vehicle trafficking the cattle. They waylaid Hussainabba’s vehicle as soon as it reached the spot. Two persons in the vehicle managed to escape but Hussainabba was brutally assaulted and his vehicle damaged. The workers than handed them over to the police who took him to the station along with Suri and his gang. They also brought the deceased vehicle with them.

by the time they reached the police station, Hussainabba had already breathed his last at the back of the police van. With the help of accused Bajrang Dal workers Prasad Kondady and others. The police took Hussainabba’s body to a place about a kilometre away from the crime spot, dumped it there and returned.

Later at around 9:45am, the police registered a case of unnatural death stating that Hussainabba might have died of ‘cardiac arrest’ after he tried to escape out of fear of being caught trafficking cattle.

The arrested so far include Suresh Mendon alias Suri (42), Prasad Kondady (30), Umesh Shetty (28) and Ratan (22). Suri and Prasad were arrested in Ballar and the other two were caught in Udupi. They are presently in police custody after being produced in court.

On Sunday June 3^rd, the police arrested three more residents of Perdoor identified as Chetan alias Chetan Acharya (22), Shailesh Shetty (20) and Ganesh (24).