CPI(M) alleges attempt to cover up Kudupu mob lynching by Mangaluru Commissionerate Police
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District Committee of CPI(M) has alleged that the Mangaluru Commissionerate Police is deliberately attempting to cover up the recent mob lynching incident that occurred in Kudupu. The CPI(M) claims that the FIR registered in the case itself serves as strong evidence of this attempt.
The incident took place at Samrat Ground, Kudupu, around 3 PM on April 27, where an unidentified person was reportedly lynched by a mob. Within an hour, the information had reached the Vamanjoor Police Station. By approximately 5 PM, police officers arrived at the scene, where they found the victim’s body, which had been brutally assaulted. The police were already aware of the full details by then, and the Commissioner was also informed.
However, for various reasons, including the involvement of key accused individuals like Ravindra Nayak and Manjunath, both said to be close aides of local BJP leaders, the police allegedly decided to weaken or even suppress the case. The fear of national backlash and reputational damage to the Commissioner reportedly contributed to this decision.
As part of this cover-up, the police allegedly made Manjunath, one of the primary accused in the mob lynching, file a complaint reporting the discovery of an "unidentified body" and registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR). Even though the police were fully aware of the incident, they issued a Lookout Circular suggesting the victim might have died due to substance abuse or after a fall, downplaying visible injuries as “minor scratches,” said Muneer Katipalla, Secretary of the CPI(M)'s Dakshina Kannada District Committee.
When media personnel approached the Police Commissioner for information and clarification, they were simply told to "wait and not believe in rumours." The Commissioner remained silent for 36 hours. It was only after political leaders and activists raised their voices on April 28, and the issue started trending on social media, that the police agreed to conduct a post-mortem. Based on the report, they finally registered an FIR under murder and mob lynching sections—32 hours after the incident.
The second complainant in the FIR was Keshav, reportedly a close associate of the same communal gang involved in the lynching. According to his statement, the victim was allegedly shouting “Pakistan Zindabad” while running toward the field, which prompted Manjunath, Sachin, and others to believe he was anti-national. They chased him, assaulted him with sticks and kicks, and killed him. Keshav further claimed he tried to stop them but was threatened and left the spot. He only learned later that Manjunath had filed the police complaint.
The CPI(M) has raised serious questions about the entire sequence of events within those critical 32 hours. Why was the initial complaint filed by one of the accused? Why did the police not take suo moto action? Why was a weak UDR filed despite full knowledge of the lynching? Why did the Commissioner remain silent for 36 hours? And why did the second FIR rely on a communal narrative involving “Pakistan” only after public pressure mounted?
Muneer Katipalla demanded a high-level probe into the conduct of the police. He said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a senior, impartial IPS officer from outside the district must be formed. He also demanded disciplinary action, including suspension, against Vamanjoor SHO Shivaprasad and Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal for dereliction of duty and alleged complicity in the attempted cover-up.
Muneer Katipalla warned that unless these demands are met and justice is ensured, public trust in law enforcement will continue to erode.
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Clinical India crush Sri Lanka by 97 runs to win Women's Tri-Nation tournament
Colombo, May 11 (PTI): India displayed absolute dominance to crush Sri Lanka by 97 runs and earn a well-deserved title triumph in the Women's Tri-Nation ODI series after vice-captain Smriti Mandhana's sublime century and the bowlers' collective effort in the title clash here on Sunday.
After Mandhana rose to the occasion to power India to a commanding 342 for seven, the bowlers completed the task by bundling out Sri Lanka for 245, with Sneh Rana (4/38) and Amanjot Kaur (3/54) doing the bulk of the damage.
Skipper Chamari Athapaththu (51 off 66 balls) and Nilakshika Silva (48 off 58) were the chief contributors for the hosts.
Earlier, battling cramps in humid conditions, elegant left-hander Mandhana, who had returned to form with a fifty in India's last match against South Africa, struck a majestic 116 off 101 balls to lay the foundation for India's imposing total after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat.
Her knock was laced with 15 fours and two sixes, including four successive boundaries off Athapaththu to bring up her 11th ODI hundred in style.
After the early dismissal of Pratika Rawal for 30, Mandhana shifted gears smoothly.
The stylish Mandhana made Sri Lanka pay for dropping her on 21 as was involved in two big partnerships - 70 for the first wicket with Pratika and 120 for the second with Harleen Deol.
She brought up her 32nd ODI fifty with a stylish sweep behind square.
The left-hander added 120 runs in 106 balls with Harleen (47 off 56; 4x4) for the second wicket to steady the innings before falling while attempting a lofted cover drive.
But her dismissal set the stage for a strong finish as Jemimah Rodrigues, coming off a career-best 123 against South Africa, smashed a quick-fire 44 off 29 balls (4x4), while Harmanpreet contributed a brisk 41 off 30 (4x4, 1x6) as India piled on 90 runs in the last 10 overs.
There was a brief phase where India looked to have lost steam in the final overs, but cameos from Deepti Sharma (20 not out off 14) and Amanjot Kaur (18 off 12) helped them surge past 340.
For Sri Lanka, Sugandika Kumari was the pick of their bowlers with 2/59, while Dewmi Vihanga (2/69) and Malki Madara (2/74) also picked two wickets each.
Set a formidable target, the home team needed a strong start, but instead, they lost Hasini Perera to Amanjot in only the third ball of the Sri Lankan innings.
Attempting to play through mid-off, Perera ended up playing down the wrong line as the ball crashed onto the off-stump.
Sri Lanka were one down without a run on the board and an onerous task awaited the duo of captain Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne (36 off 41 balls).
They seemed to be succeeding, as Athapaththu and Vishmi put Sri Lanka's chase back on track after the early blow. The pair negated the difficult phase well before opening up to hit boundaries.
However, Deepti's introduction put the brakes on Lankan scoring as the senior off-spinner bowled three economical overs on the trot before Amanjot gave India their second breakthrough by bowling Vishmi around her legs after the batter had shuffled a long way across.
India could have had another wicket but wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, standing up to debutant pacer Kranti Goud, could not hold to an edge from Athapaththu when she was on 25.
Kranti then missed a catch off her own bowling after Nilakshi's leading edge off a slower delivery.
However, soon after getting to her fifty, Athapaththu was bowled by Rana, who dropped the batter off her own bowling in her previous over.
With the required run rate mounting, the match was as good as over after Nilakshika's dismissal to Rana.
