Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, May 9: Usman Karopadi, the father of Karopadi gram panchayat vice-president Abdul Jaleel Karopadi who was hacked to death last month, on Tuesday May 9 demanded a CID probe into the murder case.

Jaleel Karopadi was murdered in cold blood on April 20 by masked assailants who barged into his office. The police have arrested 11 persons in the case so far, including aides of underworld element Vicky Shetty.

Addressing a press meet here, Usman said, "My son was brutally murdered by some miscreants at Karopadi gram panchayat. Police have succeded in arresting 11 accused in connection to this case and IGP Harishekharan has also spoken of the involvement of Vicky Shetty. Moreover, in 2015, during the gram panchayat elections, Vicky Shetty's cousin Dinesh Shetty was an aspirant for vice-president's post, and Vicky Shetty had backed him. However, the post went to Jaleel and as per the police, this was also a reason behind the murder.

"On May 2, home minister G Parameshwara and district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai visited my residence and paid condolence to our family, and assured to take stringent action against the culprits and also directed IGP Harishekharan to look in to the matter. Later, I visited the IGP twice and gave certain information and documents related to the case, but there has been no progress in this case so far," he said.

"I also demand the arrest of Dinesh Shetty and also his close aide who hatched this murder conspiracy. Some sources said it was a deal of Rs 50 lac out of which Rs 40,000 was paid. Despite knowing the truth, the police have preferred to remain silent on who paid Rs 40,000," he alleged.

"I had requested the police to arrest Dinesh Shetty but they said he had fled to Kerala, but Dinesh Shetty had attended a recent function at Mitthanadka on May 5. Why are the police not not able to arrest Dinesh Shetty and his close aides? Some panchayat members and I have recieved threat calls. I have lost faith in the police, so I feel it is better to hand over this case to the CID so that truth will be revealed and justice will be done. Next week, I am planning to visit chief minister Siddaramaiah to discuss this case," he said.

He also produced a picture of a Vittal policeman posing with financier Pradeep Shetty, alleging that they were also involved in the case.

Panchayat office-bearers K P Seetharam Bhat, Baby R Shetty, Vanaja Shetty and others were present.