Mangaluru police fire at accused in Kotekar bank robbery case after alleged escape bid
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Feb 1 (PTI): A suspect in the Kotekar Co-opeartive bank dacoity case was injured in a police shooting while allegedly attempting to flee during an evidence recovery operation in Ullal.
The accused, identified as Murugandi Thevar, had been taken into police custody until February 3 as part of the investigation into the robbery case registered at the Ullal Police Station.
During interrogation, Murugandi disclosed details regarding the planning and execution of the dacoity, including the involvement of a local associate, Shashi Thevar.
According to a press release, issued by police on Saturday, Murugandi had allegedly admitted that the trio had convened in November 2024 near Ajjanadka, within the Ullal Police Station limits, to plan the crime.
During the meeting, Shashi allegedly provided a firearm and shared information about the bank’s security lapses, which facilitated the robbery.
The police said Murugandi further claimed that Shashi had hidden the gun near the same location.
Acting on this information, a team led by the Ullal police inspector, accompanied by a sub-inspector and two constables, took Murugandi to the spot for evidence recovery and reconstruction of the crime sequence.
While at the scene, Murugandi allegedly assaulted Constable Manjunath, who was holding his restraint chain.
Police said he struck the constable and attempted to strangle him with the chain before making a bid to escape.
The Ullal police inspector initially fired a warning shot into the air.
However, when Murugandi continued to flee, the police fired a second shot, hitting him below the knee to prevent his escape.
Both the constable and Murugandi were taken to Yennepoya Hospital for treatment.
Police confirmed that their injuries are not life-threatening, and they are currently under medical care.
Incidentally, another accused, Kannan Mani, was also shot and injured by police when he attempted to escape after perpetrating the crime.
Police have stated that a separate case will be registered, in connection, with the escape attempt and subsequent action.
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T'gana BC panel seeks reports over infant's death, family alleges caste abuse
Hyderabad (PTI): The Telangana Commission for Backward Classes on Monday sought reports from state government officials on the death of an infant following alleged assault and caste abuse against her family members in Nagarkurnool district while visiting a temple fair.
In separate letters, Commission Chairman G Niranjan urged Endowments Department Commissioner S Harish and Nagarkurnool district Collector Badavath Santhosh to furnish the reports within three days.
Niranjan drew the officials' attention to media reports on the death of the two-month-old baby at Kummera village in the district and alleged caste discrimination and denial of entry to the temple fair to the baby's family belonging to a BC community.
BJP OBC Morcha's state unit president G Anand Goud alleged inadequate response by the police in the incident and demanded a transparent investigation into the incident.
Alleging that the deceased baby's father was attacked in the incident, he also demanded action against the attackers.
Goud told reporters that BJP's state unit president N Ramachander Rao would visit the village on February 24 and meet the baby's family members.
Meanwhile, a BRS delegation met DGP B Shivadhar Reddy and demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
The BRS leaders sought action against a person who allegedly attacked the infant's parents.
BC associations have held protests over the past few days regarding the alleged caste discrimination against the deceased infant's family members.
Police said on Sunday that four persons were arrested in connection with the cases registered after the family alleged that the baby died following an "assault" by a group of villagers. The family also alleged that they were abused in the name of caste in the incident on February 18.
However, a villager, part of the group, lodged a counter-complaint with the police the same day, alleging that he was attacked with stones during a scuffle with the family, sustaining a head injury, following which a case was registered.
The infant died on February 21 and her mother, who belongs to an SC community, also lodged a complaint alleging her daughter died due to the physical assault on the family by some villagers, police said.
