The police have arrested four persons in connection with the mysterious death of cattle trader Hussainabba, 61, at Shenarbettu near Pedoor in Udupi district on May 30.
Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi said three persons were taken into custody in Ballari on June 1. They are Suresh Mendon alias Suri, 43, Prasad H. Kondady, 30, and Deepak Shetty. Of these three, after conducting an enquiry, the police arrested Suri and Kondady. Two more persons, Umesh Shetty and Ratan, were nabbed at Hiriyadka in Udupi district on Saturday, he said.
The relatives of Hussainabba had alleged that Bajrang Dal activists had manhandled him leading to his death.
In a complaint registered at Hiriyadka police station, Mohammed Ismail, Hussainabba’s younger brother, said the latter had gone for business to Perdoor when a group of Bajrang Dal activists stopped his vehicle. Two other occupants in the vehicle fled for their lives after seeing the activists. Since Hussainabba was old, he could not run. The activists led by Suri assaulted him and this led to his death. Though a police vehicle had reached the spot, the assault and death of his brother had taken place right in front of the sub-inspector of Hiriyadka police station. This information was provided by one of the occupants who fled from the spot, Mr. Ismail stated in his complaint and sought a thorough probe.
On May 31, Mr. Nimbargi suspended sub-inspector D.N. Kumar for negligence on duty and disobeying the orders of senior officers. Three cases had been registered — murder as alleged by his relatives, cattle theft, and unnatural death.
