Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday announced a Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into the brutal murder of a Jain monk in Belagavi district earlier this month.

Opposition BJP and a section of Jain community had demand for a CBI probe.

"As the case is sensitive and following public requests the investigation into this case will be transferred to CID," Siddaramaiah said, making a statement in the Legislative Assembly and sharing details of the incident and probe so far.

Jain monk Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj from Nandi Parvat Ashram at Hirekodi village in Chikkodi taluk was allegedly murdered and his body dumped in a borewell pit at Khatakbhavi village in Raibag taluk.

Police have arrested Narayana Basappa Madi and Hassan Dalayath in connection with the case.

The Opposition BJP had staged protests both inside and outside the Assembly demanding a CBI probe into the murder, and had also petitioned the Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot in this regard.

The chairman of the National Commission for Minorities had recently written to the Chief Minister asking him to entrust the investigation into the murder to a very senior officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police, to "unearth the conspiracy" and arrest the "real criminals".

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bhatkal: Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly U. T. Khader visited Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district on Saturday and attended a local cricket match being played as part of a tournament organised by the Cosmos Sports Centre of Bhatkal.

After attending a programme at Anjuman Hami-E-Muslimeen, Khader proceeded to the Bhatkal Taluka Stadium, where the tournament is underway. He was accompanied by office-bearers of the Cosmos Sports Centre and several local community leaders.

Those present during the visit included President of Majlis-e-Islah Wa Tanzeem and former JD(S) leader Inayathullah Shabandri, Vice President of Tanzeem Atiqur Rahman Muniri, General Secretary Abdul Raqeeb MJ, President of Cosmos Sports Centre Ismail Anjum, Managing Director of Mohtisham Complexes S. M. Arshad, former president of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation Imtiyaz Udyawar, among others.

Addressing players and organisers, Khader extended his best wishes to the participating teams and urged the players to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship. He said such tournaments help promote unity and brotherhood among the youth.

The cricket tournament began on November 21 and will conclude with the final match on December 21. It is being organised as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Cosmos Sports Centre.

Cosmos Sports Centre is one of the member clubs of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation and is known for its active role in promoting sports in the town. Apart from sporting activities, the centre is also involved in various social and community initiatives, including efforts to promote education among students.