Murder case: Man gets 3 years RI

Team Udayavani, Mar 16, 2019, 6:17 AM IST

Mangaluru: A migrant labourer has been sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment by  the fourth additional district and sessions court in connection to a murder case that took place three years ago at Beluvai near Moodbidri.

Speaking to media, public prosecutor Harischandra Udyava informed that the case was first registered as a murder case. But, after the judge examined 23 witnesses, the case was considered as not amounting to murder, but a culpable homicide.

The accused Rangappa Naikar alias Umesh, Kumara and the victim Shivappa Chalavadi (30) were working at a stone quarry near Beluvai. They were all originally from Bagalkot. They along with other workers used to stay at a shed nearby the site.

A few weeks before his murder, Shivappa began to skip work many times and sought money from his friends for his personal expenses. He would fight with anyone who refused to cooperate with his demand.

The cause

On Feb 14^th 2016, a similar incident took place. Shivappa demanded money from Mangalappa, who was one of the shed inmates. Since the latter refused to meet his demands, Shivappa assaulted him. Annoyed, Mangalappa informed the other shed inmates of the incident.

The attack

At around 10pm, Rangappa, Kumara and a minor boy, equipped with wooden logs attacked Shivappa. The injured victim later succumbed to his injuries. The very next day, the three accused including the minor were arrested by the police and the chargesheet was filed by Moodbidri police inspector Ananthapadmanabha.

A separate investigation is being conducted regarding the role of the minor boy while the main accused Rangappa is absconding since he managed to secure bail.