"Udupi murders: Police to probe if 'possessive' Chowgale targeted only Ainaz"
Mangaluru (PTI): Was Praveen Chowgale, the accused in the murder of four members of a family in Udupi, overly possessive about his young colleague Ainaz, who was his real target during the fatal attack last Sunday? Police are attempting to find the real motive behind the crime as they are not considering all the claims made during his confessional statement.
During interrogation, Chowgale (39) has admitted to committing the crime on his own and that he targeted Ainaz (21), who worked with him as a cabin crew of the Air India Express. It is suspected that unrequited love could be one of the reasons behind the brutal murder.
He told the police that other members of the family were attacked when they tried to prevent him.
Police also suspect that the three others in the family were murdered to destroy evidence. Only Ainaz's grandmother Hajira (70) survived the attack with serious injuries. She is now undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Police have collected technical and other evidence to show that he murdered all the four persons. Other motives related to the crime will only be revealed during further investigation, Udupi district superintendent of police K Arun said.
During questioning, the accused has also stated he had gone to the house of Ainaz with a definite plan to kill her.
Investigators will also ascertain his claims of having worked with the Maharashtra police for some time before joining Air India Express.
Police are also verifying his criminal history and whether Chowgale committed the crime under the influence of narcotic drugs.
The accused, who belongs to Sangli in Maharashtra, worked at the Mangaluru International Airport. He worked with Ainaz as a crew member of AIE.
After committing the crime, he switched off his mobile phone and turned it on after reaching his relative's house at Kudachi in Belagavi district. He was picked up from there before he could leave for Andhra Pradesh as planned.
Ainaz's mother Haseena (46), sister Afnan (23) and brother Aseem (12) were also killed in the attack. Her father Mohammed Noor has been working abroad for the last several years. The family was financially well off.
The police are investigating all the angles to establish the exact motive behind the gruesome murders that took place at Nejar in Udupi on November 12, sending shockwaves across the state, the SP said.
Arun said all Chowgale's statement and claims during the interrogation will be confirmed only after further verification.
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Bantwal: SSLC student dies after electrocution
Bantwal: A 15-year-old boy died after coming into contact with an electric wire in Gadiara village on Saturday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Shaheer, son of Sharif, a resident of Neralakatte.
Shaheer, an SSLC student at Mountain View English Medium School, Puttur, had gone to his grandfather’s house in nearby Gadiara village during the school holidays. He came into contact with an electric wire and died at the scene.
He is survived by his parents, a brother, two sisters, and family members.
