The police have now arrested 10 people in connection to murder, conspiracy and destruction of evidence

BELAGAVI: The district police probing the inter-religion murder case have found that a Hindutva leader and members belonging to Sri Rama Sene Hindustan received contract to kill Arbaaz Mullah from the parents of a girl with whom he was involved in a romantic relationship.
The ToI was first to report the Supari angle in the murder. The police have now arrested 10 people in connection to murder, conspiracy and destruction of evidence. Arbaaz was working as second hand car broker.

The investigation has also revealed that Arbaaz’ torso and legs were chopped off using a saw before the body was thrown on to a railway track at Khanapur in Belagavi. He was murdered on Sep 28. The police say that the body was chopped to make appear it as railway accident.

The accused are identified as Pundalika alias Maharaja Nagappa Mutagekara (39), Khanapur taluk president of Sri Rama Sene Hindustan, Kutbuddin Allahbaksha Bepari (36), Shushila Erappa Kumbara (42), girl’ mother, Erappa Basavanne Kumbara (54), girl’ father, Maruti Prahlad Sugate (30), Manjunatha Tukarama (25), Ganapati Gnaneshwar Sugate (26), Prashanth Kallappa Patil (28) Praveen Shankar Pujeri (28), Shridhar Mahadev Done (31). All are members of Sri Rama Sene Hindustan.

Belagavi SP Laxman Nimbaragi holding a press meet said Mutagekara took contract to kill Arbaaz and rest were involved in the murder. The police have produced all the accused before the court.

The sources privy to the investigation said on the day of incident, Kutbuddin Bepari who was mediating between Hindutva outfit and the victim carried Arbaaz near the railway track at Khanapur in a vehicle claiming he would settle the matter. The other accused who were waiting for the victim with the weapons killed him upon his arrival. At least five among the ten accused were present at the crime scene including Mutagekara, a prime accused.

The sources also say that Mutagekara received cash from parents and even victim threatening him to the tune of lakhs.

During the contact with parents it was agreed that mother and father should own up to the murder surrendering to the police leaving out Mutagekara. The parents initially rushed to the station asking the cops to arrest them. A source said as police suspected that the couple alone are incapable of such gruesome murder and mother of Arbaaz alleged role of Mutagekara, the investigation team further probed and arrested other accused. Mutagekara and other accused were absconding after the incident.

This story first appeared on timesofindia.indiatimes.com