Udupi: Four people have been arrested in connection with the brutal assault on a Dalit woman at Malpe harbour over allegations of fish theft.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Lakshmibai, Sundar, Shilpa, and another local resident.

A video of the incident, which occurred on March 18, went viral on social media, prompting an investigation by Malpe police. Based on a complaint filed by the survivor, a case was registered.

According to Udupi SP Dr K. Arun, Lakshmibai accused the woman, who hails from Vijayanagara district, of stealing fish and assaulted her. Subsequently, a group of locals tied her to a tree and continued to beat her, as seen in the video.

Following an examination of the footage, four individuals involved in the assault were arrested. Police are reviewing the video to identify others involved, and further legal action will be taken accordingly.

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Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.

Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.

The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.

However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.

Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.

The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.

Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.

Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.

SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.