Nejaru murder trial set to begin in Udupi District and Sessions Court
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Udupi District and Sessions Court has ordered the authorities at the Parappana Agrahara jail to produce Praveen Chowgule, the prime suspect in the murder of four family members in Nejaru near Brahmavar in November last.
The accused is mandated to appear for the hearing in the case scheduled on March 7, as directed by the court.
Chowgule's apprehension swiftly followed the brutal murders that occurred on November 12 last year. Since then, he has been held in judicial custody at Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara jail.
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In February this year, law enforcement officials filed a detailed charge sheet pertaining to the case, shedding light on the motives behind Chowgule's alleged actions. The investigation highlighted his tumultuous relationship with Aynaz Mohammed (21), a trainee air hostess and former colleague.
The motive, as outlined by the police, underscores Chowgule's possessive nature and the discord in his relationship with Aynaz Mohammed. The victims of this heinous attack included Aynaz's mother, Haseena (47), her elder sister, Afnan (23), and younger brother, Aseem (14).
According to police, when Chowgule launched his assault on Aynaz, the other three victims were also present in the house and came under attack.
In a twist of fate, Haseena's mother-in-law, Hakira, was attacked but managed to survive by seeking refuge in a bathroom.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
