Those behind 3 murders in DK district will be arrested, punished soon: DGP Praveen Sood
Mangaluru, Aug 1: Karnataka Director General of Police Praveen Sood on Monday assured that those involved and behind three murders in Dakshina Kannada district in the last ten days would be arrested and punished soon irrespective of their organisational or ideological background.
The DGP, who reviewed the developments and investigation with top officials, also called on people to cooperate with the police by coming forward and sharing information, if any, regarding the murders.
"Three murders have taken place in ten days: The first is the Masood case in which eight people were arrested and sent to judicial custody. Second, the Praveen murder case in which two were arrested and further inquiry is on. We will nab the killers and strictly punish them. Third is the Fazil case wherein there has been definite progress, a car used for the crime and its owner have been found," Sood said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, based on the arrests made and investigation so far, further arrests, if any, would be made, and also measures would be taken to see to it that such incidents don't get repeated and there is peace in the region.
"...I assure the people that all those behind the three cases, also whichever organisation or ideology is behind them, we will not leave them. We will take strict action against them," he added.
A 32-year old zilla Bharatiya Yuva Morcha committee member Praveen Nettar was hacked to death by unidentified motorbike-borne assailants on the night of July 26 at Bellare in Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, which had sparked outrage.
Two persons with suspected links with the Popular Front of India (PFI) were arrested by the Karnataka police in connection with the murder on July 28.
Masood (18) was murdered in Bellare before Nettar's killing; Mohammed Fazil (23) was hacked to death at Surathkal Mangaluru city outskirts after it.
At this stage, more than finding a link between cases, the priority of the police is to physically catch hold of the murderers and to interrogate them, Sood said, adding that once the investigation is over, it would be mentioned in the charge sheet whether there were any links to other cases.
"At this preliminary stage, it will be wrong to say there were links based on mere speculation and it is not good for society by unnecessarily linking two deaths, as it will further vitiate the atmosphere. Whether there is link or not murder is a murder...neither police nor the dead body has any religion," he added.
Naturally, there is an atmosphere of fear because of the three murders, the DGP said. Officials have taken several measures in this regard, and that he, too, has held meetings with ADGP, Commissioner, also Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada, in this regard.
"Increasing patrolling and in border areas, having strong checkpost, and effective human intelligence is important. Also enhancing the police staff in Dakshina Kannada is necessary and steps are being taken in this regard," he said.
Noting that for any incident there would be an eyewitness or someone who is aware of it, Sood urged the citizens to come forward and cooperate with the police with regard to the cases.
"Police have the responsibility to nab the culprits, but it is not the duty of police alone, it should be a combined effort. Irrespective of religious background, we should join hands to maintain peace," he added.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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