Rowdy-Sheeter Topi Naufal’s Death Ruled Accidental, Postmortem Reveals
Mangaluru: The demise of Topi Naufal, a 42-year-old notorious rowdy-sheeter with a long history of criminal activity in Mangaluru, has been officially attributed to a train collision, according to a postmortem examination conducted by medical professionals at Kasaragod Medical College Hospital. This revelation contradicts initial suspicions of foul play.
Naufal’s body was discovered near the Uppala railway gate, within the jurisdiction of the Manjeshwar Police Station, early Saturday morning. The discovery prompted immediate speculation that Naufal, who had over 20 criminal cases registered against him across various Mangaluru police precincts, was lured to a clandestine meeting and subsequently murdered. The presence of deep wounds on his head and neck, initially appearing as cut wounds, further fueled suspicions of homicide. However, the postmortem report has definitively established that the injuries sustained were consistent with the impact of a train, rather than inflicted by any sharp-edged weapons.
The Manjeshwar Police have diligently pursued investigative leads, gathering crucial information from individuals closely associated with Naufal and those who had contact with him on the night of the incident. The investigation has uncovered that Naufal was allegedly battling a severe drug addiction, with a reported dependence on intravenously administered drugs to the point of functional impairment without them. Surveillance footage corroborates this, showing Naufal traveling from Mangaluru to Uppala on his scooter late Friday night. Furthermore, authorities discovered syringes in his possession, further suggesting recent drug use.
Preliminary findings suggest Naufal may have sought out drugs near the Uppala railway gate on the night of his death. Police are currently focused on identifying the source of these drugs. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, specifically whether Naufal was sitting or standing on the railway tracks while under the influence of narcotics when the train struck him. Based on the available evidence, Manjeshwar Police are considering the possibility of accidental death or suicide, while Mangaluru Police emphasize the possibility of accidental death influenced by substance use.
Law enforcement agencies in Mangaluru have recently intensified their efforts to dismantle drug networks, leading to withdrawal struggles among many addicts. Sources suggest that Naufal, despite his reputation as a hardened gangster, was also struggling to cope without access to drugs. It has been reported that Naufal contacted his wife from Uppala on the night of his death, expressing a desire to overcome his addiction. However, he apparently succumbed to withdrawal symptoms, ultimately returning to drug use and tragically meeting his end near the railway gate.
News of Naufal’s death triggered a large gathering outside the Kasaragod Medical College Hospital on Saturday morning, where his body was being held. Some of his associates voiced suspicions of foul play, suggesting potential involvement of rival gangs, including those associated with Maripalla Jabbar, Tallath, and the deceased Kalia Rafiq. Amidst the commotion, police detained Kalia Rafiq’s son for questioning but subsequently released him after a preliminary investigation. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Topi Naufal’s death remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the precise sequence of events that led to this tragic outcome.
