Tipu Jayanti murder in DK a case of mistaken identity: Cops

Suspects thought victim was from minority community

 The Dakshina Kannada police have nabbed two persons on charges of killing Harish Poojary (28), in connection with the row over Tipu anniversary celebrations on November 12 near B C Road.

The death of Poojary led to further clashes and a tense situation prevailed in the district for the last few days. The arrested are Bhuvith Shetty (25) and Achutha Poojary (28), both residents of Bantwal.

Addressing mediapersons at his office on Thursday evening, IGP (Western Range) Amrit Paul said that the murder was a case of mistaken identity. According to preliminary investigations, the duo presumed Harish Poojary belonged to a minority community as he was accompanied by Samiulla (who survived the attack).

Shetty and Poojary stabbed Harish Poojary, when the latter was having juice in a shop with Samiulla, after playing a cricket match nearby. Paul said that they were picked up from Mani near Bantwal following a tip-off. The IGP said three more persons are involved in the incident and they   will be nabbed soon.

“Though the three others helped the duo in killing Harish Poojary, all of them will be treated as accused,” the IGP said.

While Bhuvith has three criminal cases against him, Achuth has two criminal cases against him. To a query, SP Dr Sharanappa S D said that a total of 29 persons had been arrested in connection with the clashes that erupted over Tipu Jayanti celebrations. All of them have been sent to Ballari jail.

Bhuvith is the same person who justified the killing of Prof M M Kalburgi, minutes after he was shot dead on August 30. He had also warned on twitter that a similar fate awaited those who ‘mock’ at Hinduism. “Then it was U R Anantamoorty and now its M M Kalburgi. Mock Hinduism and die a dog’s death. And dear K S Bhagwan, you are next,” read the message tweeted from his twitter handle @GarudaPurana. Shetty was arrested on August 31 and released later.

To a query, the IGP said that the police are planning to book Bhuvith under Goonda Act. A total of six persons from the district will be booked, he said, but did not give details.

 Paul cautioned all mobile phone and social media users to be careful while forwarding messages that are offensive, derogatory or provocative. “Strict action will be taken against persons forwarding such messages through phone or social media,” he said.