Cyanide Supplier Might Become Prosecution Witness

Cyanide Supplier Might Become Prosecution Witness

26 October 2009

Pavan Mammade of Puttur, a goldsmith, allegedly supplied cyanide to serial killer Mohan Kumar whenever he required it. Although police consider him accused in the case, they are also considering the possibility of using him as a prosecution witness in order to ensure that Mohan does not go free for lack of evidence. Mammade is likely to agree to become a prosecution witness to avoid punishment.  

Police sources have stated that Mammade used to supply inferior-quality cyanide to the alleged serial killer. He claimed that he was not aware that Mohan was using it to kill the girls. He hardly suspected any foul play.  

Unfortunately, the killer had not left behind any clue. The murders were committed over a period of five years. The clues, if any exist, would have been lost in the mists of time. Mohan would not have given his real name at the lodges where he stayed with the girls. Moreover, the operators of these lodges might not be able to identify him now.  

He had sold the ornaments to gold merchants; and one cannot say if the gold ornaments were still in their original shape or melted down. Moreover, the post mortem reports are yet to be obtained in several cases. So far, only two post mortem reports indicate cyanide poisoning.  

Initially, Mohan had tried to eliminate his victims with sleeping pills. These girls had survived and one of them had told her relatives about Mohan. They had thrashed him and taken him to Belthangady police station. The police released him after he returned the ornaments, and the girl’s family did not register a case. Mohan decided to use cyanide thereafter.  

Since cyanide is the key element in the case, the police expect to trap Mohan by using Mammade’s evidence in court. Police might, therefore, use Mammade as a prosecution witness.