HC orders CBI probe into Naushad Kashimji murder, brother calls it a 'victory'

Naushad Kashimji

Justice Mohan Shantangowder ordered the probe after hearing a petition seeking a CBI probe into the murder and the alleged involvement of four police officers in the two-year old case.

Naushad, who was shot dead outside his apartment in Mangalore on Apr 9, 2009, was allegedly warned by four police officers as he was appearing in court defending the alleged aide of Chota Shakeel, Rasheed Malbari.

Naushad's senior, Purushottam Pujary, had lodged a complaint with Pandeshwar police station accusing the hand of four police officers in the killing of Naushad the same evening after he was allegedly warned by the officers on April 9, 2010.

When the probe did not make a headway, the wife of the accused filed a writ petition seeking a CBI probe into the matter.

When the matter came up for hearing, the State Government submitted that the CID is already probing into the matter.

However, the petitioner submitted that since there is involvement of four police officers namely police inspector Venkatesh Prasanna, DYSP Jayantha Shetty, Ullal sub-inspector Shivaprakash and Panambur Circle Inspector Valentine D'Souza, she wanted the investigation to be conducted by an independent agency like the CBI.

Justice Mohan Shantangowder who heard the matter, directed the matter be referred to CBI for further investigation.

'Victory'

Meanwhile, the family members of Naushad Kashimji have welcomed the High Court's decision to hand over the probe to the CBI.

Parvez Kashimji

Victim's brother Parvez Kashimji, who is the president of Majlis-e-Islah-wa-Tanzeem, addressing a press meet in Bhatkal, termed the court order as a victory to the legal battle waged by the family members for justice.

“It is, probably, for the first time in the history of Karnataka, the High Court has decided to handover a murder case to CBI,” he remarked.

Expressing hope that the CBI probe will find out the real culprits behind the brutal murder, Mr Parvez said that the true colour of the officials and politicians would be exposed soon.

The arrested

It may be recalled that the police had arrested six persons in connection with the murder of advocate within 15 days of the incident. They were Dinesh (24), a resident of Belthangady; Rithesh (20), a resident of Kodikal; Prathap (26), a resident of Kavoor; Ganesh (28) of Kodikal; Subrahmanya (24) of Kadri and Shivaprakash (30) of Urwa Store. The police had also seized three 9 mm pistols, 8 rounds of ammunition, Rs 3,53,060 in cash, three mobile phones, Maruthi 800 car and 4 pistol-magazines.