Undertrial uses Facebook to threaten witness

An undertrial has used Facebook to silence a witness in a murder case, revealing the modern methods criminals adopt to influence cases.

Srinivas alias Robbery Kitti is doing time for a different crime. But he sent the chilling message to Vijaya Kumar, witness to the murder of his father Marahanumaiah (48), vice president KPCC (SC/ST cell) in Bengaluru.

In a complaint with the Kengeri Police, Kumar said Srinivas asked him not to give any statements against the accused facing trial in his father's murder.

A group of men had murdered Marahanumaiah on June 27, 2016, near Kengeri. The police had arrested Kiran alias Tamate, Sunil alias Cylinder, Chethan and Praveen alias Subbu, all of whom are lodged in prison.

Kumar said the trial court has notified him to record his statement. The information had gone to the accused, who had taken Srinivas' help to threaten him.

Kumar said he received a friend request from Srinivas on February 7. Soon after he accepted the request, Srinivas began sending threatening messages. The undertrial said Sunil, one of the accused in Marahanumaiah's murder, is his brother-in-law.

Srinivas offered to meet Kumar after his release and work out a settlement. But when Kumar rejected the offer, the prisoner sent a series of voice messages, threatening to kill him if he gives witness statements in the court.

Kumar asked the Kengeri police for protection to him and his family, while also asking them to take action against the person who posted the threat.

The police confirmed that the messages were sent by Srinivas, who is in jail for the past six months. They are finding out if the messages were are actually sent by Srinivas or if someone else is operating his Facebook account from the outside.

The Kengeri police said Srinivas would be taken into custody on body warrant and will be questioned in the matter.