Udupi: The Udupi District Superintendent of Police, Dr. K. Arun, announced that Praveen Arun Chowgale (39), the prime suspect arrested in connection with the brutal massacre of a mother and her children in Nejar, has confessed to the murders. The arrest took place at the Kudachi police station in Rayabhaga taluk of Belgaum district on Tuesday

In a press conference held at the Udupi SP office, Dr. K. Arun revealed that the confession was obtained through a combination of technical and other evidence, confirming the suspect's involvement in the heinous crime. However, the weapon used in the murders is yet to be recovered.

The accused, Praveen Gaganasakhi, formerly employed as a cabin crew member with Mangalore Air India, allegedly committed the murders out of animosity towards Aynaz, one of the victims. He reportedly attacked and fatally stabbed not only Ainaz but also her mother and two children who intervened in an attempt to stop him.

During the interrogation, the suspect provided three motives for the murders, pending verification. Dr. K. Arun mentioned that Praveen Gaganasakhi, a married individual originally from Sangli, Maharashtra, had been residing in Mangalore for several years.

Further investigations will be carried out to ascertain the accuracy of the stated motives and to locate the weapon used in the gruesome crime.

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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.