The murder of a social activist affiliated to the Congress in Hubballi has turned out to be a case of ‘supari killing’ and the police have so far arrested eight persons including a criminal belonging to a village in the Bhima river belt and wanted in several cases of murder, robbery and extortion.
Police Commissioner of Hubballi-Dharwad M.N. Nagaraj told presspersons here on Monday that Sharanabasava Deginal, a criminal wanted by the police in Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka, had carried out the supari killing of Kumareshwar Pillay at the behest of the latter’s opponents, who were involved in the murder of his son Vinaya Pillay.
Mr. Nagaraj said undertrials Santosh Chalavadi and Satish Chalavadiwere involved in the killing and a Rs. 30 lakh ‘supari’ was given for the elimination of Kumareshwar, who was emerging as a leader.
On January 25, Kumareshwar Pillay was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle. After he fell down, those in the car attacked him with lethal weapons, ultimately resulting in his death.
Mr. Nagaraj said three teams led by Assistant Commissioner of Police H.K. Pathan were constituted to nab the culprits and so far eight persons have been arrested. Another accused is absconding.
He said Sharanabasava Deginal of Gundagi in Sindhagi taluk of Vijayapura district was arrested along with his two accomplices Praveen Booti and Basavaraj Kanakambi of Afzalpur at Gaddanakeri Cross on Vijayapura Road on Sunday. He said that the arrest of Manjya, Rakesh Madarkal and Sayyed Ali Mulagund of Hubballi led them to the main accused. Santosh Chalvadi had come in contact with the other accused in the prison and subsequently a plan to eliminate Kumareshwar was hatched. Ravichandra Hebasur and Ashok Nikkam of Hubballi, who had extended financial assistance for the crime, have also been arrested.
The police have recovered three handmade pistols, two swords, a two-wheeler and a car used for the crime from the accused.
Cash prize
Commending the work done by the police teams, Mr. Nagaraj said a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 had been awarded to them. He said the main accused Sharanabasava, had escaped from the clutches of the police few years ago when he was brought to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi for treatment.
