Mangaluru Police Crack Down on Rowdy Sheeter Murder Case with Seven Arrests
In a significant breakthrough, the Mangaluru city police have apprehended seven key individuals linked to the brutal murder of notorious rowdy sheeter Arif Hussain. Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH disclosed on Thursday that investigators have uncovered evidence pointing to a far-reaching and meticulously planned conspiracy behind the crime.
Details of the Attack and Initial Arrests
The fatal incident occurred on March 27, when six assailants—identified as Rifat, Juttu Ashfaq, Khaleel, Shakir, Irfan, and Rizwan—tracked Arif Hussain's motorcycle. In a premeditated assault, they rammed his bike with a rented SUV on the Thokkottu flyover and proceeded to fatally attack him. All six attackers have since been taken into custody.
Irshad, another arrested individual, played a crucial role as a facilitator. He provided shelter to the accused and transported them to the crime scene, enabling the execution of the murder.
Unraveling the Wider Conspiracy
Further investigation has revealed a network of accomplices with distinct responsibilities. Suhail allegedly arranged the rental SUV used in the offence and subsequently fled to Saudi Arabia, evading immediate capture. Arshad is accused of procuring weapons, monitoring police movements, maintaining communication among the team, arranging transport, and funding the accused while they were on the run.
In a sophisticated twist, Ashwir, who is linked to a previous criminal case, supplied foreign OTPs from Dubai. These OTPs allowed the accused to operate international WhatsApp accounts, effectively evading surveillance. When one number was traced by authorities, fresh credentials were promptly arranged to avoid detection.
Police Commissioner Reddy highlighted that Mustafa and Ashwir, operating from abroad, also financed travel, accommodation, and logistics for the accused while they were absconding. This international dimension has added complexity to the investigation.
Ongoing Investigation and Motive
Despite the seven arrests—comprising the six attackers and Irshad—authorities believe more individuals are involved in the conspiracy. Efforts are actively underway to trace the remaining suspects and bring them to justice.
Regarding the motive, Commissioner Reddy stated that the murder stemmed from an old rivalry. He noted that the victim, Arif Hussain, had reportedly celebrated the death of another notorious figure, Naufal, which likely fueled the retaliatory attack.
Arif Hussain, 46, also known as 'Tablet' Arif, was facing multiple criminal cases at the time of his death. He was hacked to death within the limits of the Ullal police station. Given the complexity and severity of the case, it has been transferred to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of the City Crime Branch (CCB) for a thorough and detailed investigation.
