PFI member cries foul over leader's arrest in murder case

Popular Front of India state committee member Shafi Bellare, on Thursday, alleged that the arrest of Chamarajanagar district PFI president Khaleeullah in connection with the murder of RSS worker Sharath Madiwala is politically motivated. Madiwala was hacked to death by a gang on July 4 near Mangaluru.

Addressing reporters, here, Bellare alleged that Dakshina Kannada Police have arrested Khaleeullah owing to political pressure.

Khaleeullah is a RTI activist and had raised voice against police harassment and was also opposing fascism and communalism. Though Khaleeullah has not faced any criminal cases so far, the police have arrested him.

‘PFI leaders targetted’
Pointing at the arrest of PFI members in the murder case of Manjunath of Shivamogga in 2014 and the murder of Kuttappa in Madikeri, Kodagu district, during Tipu Jayanti celebrations in 2015, Bellare said, in both the cases, the police arrested PFI activists, but, failed to prove the charges.

The police just want to fix PFI persons in murder cases, he alleged.

Suspecting the role of the Congress-led state government in the conspiracy, he said, as the Assembly elections are nearing, the government is trying to create its vote bank and is also playing an anti-Muslim role.

PFI district secretary Rafiullah, members Afzal Sharif and Shoaib Khan were present.