Kallappa Suicide: Accused Praveen Khandya Hiding in Mumbai?
Bengaluru / Chikkamagaluru: The suicide of Chikkamagaluru subdivision deputy superintendent of police Kallappa Handibag earlier this month had been reportedly an aftermath of the abduction of financier Tejas Gowda, who is alleged to have been involved in betting and other activities.
The accused had been on the run as the news of the suicide broke out. Some of the accused have since been arrested. The kingpin of the whole case, Praveen Khandya, said to be a VHP leader, has remained elusive.
The district police have formed four teams and have been going after the hot trail of those at large.
They are Khandya, Naveen Shetty and Jeevan who too was involved in the abduction. A few students too had a hand in the episode. All efforts are being made to trace them.
The mobile calls made by and to Khandya which have been tracked down by the police and the ATM withdrawals from his bank accounts indicate his presence in Mumbai. But there is also a feeling that it could be a rumour to mislead the police who are searching for him.
Jeevan is said to be still in Bengaluru. His movements are being trailed.
Under pressure?
The state CID has reportedly expressed their unhappiness over the slack handling of the case by the district police. Sources in the CID indicated the possibility of their being under pressure from a few local politicians. The name of a former minister and sitting MLA is being heard as a close associate of the accused.
Khandya had supported the police whenever communal clashes took place in the past and hence they are said to have had a soft corner for him. Instead of naming his as the prime accused, he has been made the fourth accused instead of first.
Another arrested
Joy Milton, a ‘bouncer’ in City Pub at Bellandur in Bengaluru, was arrested in connection with the same case on Sunday.
He, besides Abhishek, was among the six persons drafted by Khandya to kidnap Tejas Gowda and take him to Bengaluru.
He appeared to be a first-time offender, lured by big money offered for the act. He was traced on the basis of his mobile calls.
The police are on the lookout for Khandya and Naveen Shetty, among others.
Related headlines:
- ‘BD Activists Should be Arrested in Kallappa Suicide Case’ – MLC Ivan D’Souza
- Kumaraswamy Alleges Sangh Parivar’s Hand in Kallappa Suicide
- ‘Glorification of Suicides is Dangerous’ – Former MLC A K Subbaiah
- DySP’s Suicide : Student Leader Slams Double Standards
- VHP Leader Khandya Accused in Handibag Case to be Booked under Goonda Act
- CID Begins Investigation into DySP Kallappa Suicide Case
- DySP Kallappa Accused in Abduction Case Ends Life
- Chikkamagaluru DySP Involved in Abduction Absconds
