Bantwal murder convict sentenced to life imprisonment and Rs. 1.5 lakh fine

mangaloretoday.com

Bantwal, Jan 20: A shocking murder case stemming from personal animosity in Karl village near Tenkkaje, Bantwal, a Mangaluru court has sentenced the convict, Siddique (34), to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh. The case involved the brutal killing of 20-year-old Mohammad Rafique.

The incident occurred on the evening of September 12, 2021, when Siddique lured Rafique to a hill under the guise of smoking a cigarette. There, he attacked and killed Rafique with a knife. After committing the murder, Siddique returned home, changed out of his blood-stained clothes, and then visited Rafique’s house. Shockingly, he shared a meal with Rafique’s mother, pretending to be unaware of her son’s whereabouts. Later, he misled his friend, Fayazuddin, claiming to have disposed of Rafique’s body near Morri of Neerolbey in Devasya Mooduru.

A case was registered at the Punjalkatte police station, with inspector Shivkumar leading the investigation. The investigation culminated in the submission of a charge sheet to the court. During the trial in the 6th Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru, 19 witnesses were examined, along with 57 documents and 14 pieces of evidence. Judge Kantaraju S V found Siddique guilty of murder and other related charges.

Under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Siddique received a life sentence and a fine of Rs 1 lakh for murder. He was also sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 fine under Section 201 of the IPC for concealing the crime. The court further recommended compensation for Rafique’s mother through the District Legal Services Authority.

The prosecution, led by attorneys Jyothi P Nayak, B Shekhar Shetty, and government advocate Chaudhary Motilal, presented a compelling case. Crucial evidence included Rafique’s mother testifying that she saw her son leaving with Siddique on the night of the murder. This testimony, combined with forensic evidence and circumstantial details, was instrumental in securing the conviction.

Notably, Siddique reportedly confessed to the crime at the Punjalkatte police station the morning after the murder, claiming he was unable to bear the guilt. His confession, alongside corroborating evidence, played a significant role in ensuring justice for the victim.