A month on, Mangalore police yet to solve double murder case

Mangalore, July 28: Even a month after the murder of a woman and her eight-year-old daughter in Panjimogaru on the outskirts of the city, the case has remained unsolved. The city police were yet to establish the motive behind the murder. The much-talked about murder had led to a fear psychosis among residents of the area.

Commissioner of Police Seemant Kumar Singh said the police were yet to say the final word on the motive although investigation was being done in different angles. “We have not been able to zero-in on the motive, which would lead (us) to the accused,” said Mr Singh.

Razia (35) and her daughter Fathima Zua (8) were murdered in their two-story house in Panjimogaru in Kavoor police station limits on June 28. The incident occurred just an hour after Razia's husband P Hameed, a scrap merchant, had left the house. The police had suspected involvement of persons close to family.

The residents of the area, it might be noted, had held a meeting in a school recently and urged the police to solve the murder early.

A delegation of the people met the Police Commissioner and expressed their anguish.

Police had formed four teams to investigate the murder. According to Mr Singh each team had been pursuing different lead and senior officers were reviewing progress of the investigation on a daily basis.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) N Dharmaiah was supervising the investigation.

The police had questioned several persons in connection with the case. Even the husband of the woman killed had not been spared. This has not led the police to establish the identity of the accused.

Meanwhile, Mr. Singh said an inquiry was being conducted into the allegations that the policemen had assaulted two men taken into custody. People had staged protest against police high handedness.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Panambur) Putta Madaiah had been asked to submit a report. A constable, who was accused of assaulting the suspects, had been asked to stay away from the investigation of the case, Mr. Singh said. “There is no question of fixing anybody,” he said.