Three key suspects in Praveen Nettaru's murder arrested

Mangaluru Police arrested three men on Thursday morning, ending a fortnight-long intense hunt for main suspects who had allegedly hacked Praveen Nettar to death in front of his shop at Bellare police station limits.

ADGP (Law and Order) Alok Kumar told mediapersons that a team led by Sullia Inspector Naveenchandra Jogi had arrested the three accused -- Shiyabbudin Ali (30), Riyaz Ananthadka (27) and Basheer (29) from Sullia taluk. While Shiyabuddin eked out a living by supplying coco to Puttur-based chocolate manufacturer - Campco, Riyaz supplied chicken to stalls, and Basheer was working in a hotel in Yelimane near Subrahmanya.

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Alok Kumar said no major crimes were found registered against them in the past. The police will produce the accused before court and seek custody in order to unearth the motive behind the murder of Praveen Nettaru. The three accused after allegedly hacking Praveen on July 26 had first fled to Bekal near Kasargod in Kerala. They kept changing places frequently, making it difficult for police to track them down.

"From the day of the crime, we had information about suspects who had links with SDPI and PFI. As the Chief Minister and senior officers were following the developments in the murder case, police officers were determined to arrest the accused. Their wives were also questioned to ascertain the whereabouts of the suspects. Due to the efforts of Dakshina Kannada SP Sonawane Rishikesh Bhagawan and Hassan SP Hariram Shankar, police succeeded in arresting the trio," ADGP said.

Among the seven vehicles used by the accused, five two-wheelers and one Alto car was seized by the police. The weapons used to attack Praveen are yet to be traced. With the arrest of three main suspects, number of arrests in Praveen murder case increased to 10 on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Alok Kumar hinted at more arrests after identifying those who had offered shelter to the absconding men. "After these arrests, we will hand over the case to NIA," he added.

Denying arrest of any innocent person in the case, Kumar said that father of Shafiq, who was arrested recently, had worked for three months in Praveen's chicken shop. "We have credible evidence against all 10 suspects. The exact motive behind the murder, number of targets will be revealed in the chargesheet to be filed by Investigating Officer (IO) ACP Mahesh Kumar," he said.

Properties of fugitives will be seized

The ADGP said the properties of those accused in heinous crimes and have been evading arrest by police will be seized after issuing a warrant. Alok also stressed that Goonda Act, cases under 107 CrPC will be registered against those found to be involved in a series of communal killings.