Ripper Chandran hunter retired cop Narayana Maniyani commits suicide

Mangaluru, Dec 24: Policeman-turned-businessman Narayana Maniyani, who had recently started a local news channel, has committed suicide under mysterious circumstances at a lodge in Thokkottu on the outskirts of the city.

63-year-old Retired assistant police sub-inspector's body was found hanging inside a room at Hotel Vrindavan at Thokkottu on Tuesday night within hours after he hired the room.

Maniyani, who had started his career as a fire watcher in forest department with a pay of Rs 1.50 per day, gradually emerged as an efficient police officer and worked in various police stations in the coastal district. He had also bagged the President's Medal and the state award for his service.

He had played a stellar role in hunting down Ripper Chandran, a serial killer, who had sent shivers down the spines of the people of coastal Karnataka and Kasaragod district over two decades ago, killing victims while they were asleep.

Maniyani's role in solving several criminal cases in the district including the Goodujalu robbery involving assets worth over Rs 20 crore and curbing fake currency rackets had earned him respect in the police department.

On hearing the news of suicide, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader and senior police officers rushed to the spot.  

According to sources on Tuesday after returning from Kolya, Maniyani went to the lodge in Thokkottu alone and booked a room. He had asked his driver to contact him at 10 p.m.

When the driver tried to call Maniyani, his cell phone was not reachable. After coming to know that Maniyani had booked a room at Vrindavan Lodge, the driver directly went there.

However, Maniyani did not respond when the driver and others knocked the door. Finally the door was forcefully opened to witness Maniyani's hanging body.

Maniyani is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter. A case has been registered at Ullal police station and investigations are on.