Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Dec 28: Section 3 of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) has been invoked against a total of six accused, including an absconding prime accused, in connection with the murder of Saifuddin in Kodavoor village under the limits of Malpe Police Station.
Udupi district superintendent of police Hariram Shankar stated that, according to the complaint lodged by the deceased’s son, Abdul Anjil, on September 27, 2025, Faizal Khan arrived at Saifuddin’s residence near Coin Circle in Manipal in the morning and informed him that they needed to travel to Mangaluru to discuss matters related to the bus business. At around 10 am, Saifuddin left his house in a car along with Faizal Khan.
It is later alleged that Faizal Khan, Sharif and others took Saifuddin towards Malpe and, between 10.15 am and 11.30 am, murdered him by attacking his head and back with machetes at a house identified as “H.A. Manzil” near Nagabana in Kodavoor village of Udupi taluk. After committing the murder, the accused fled the spot in the car.
Based on the complaint, Malpe police registered a case, following which three special teams were formed to trace and arrest the accused.
A team led by Malpe circle inspector I Ramachandra Naik and Malpe police sub-inspector Anil Kumar arrested the main accused involved in the murder — Mohammed Faisal Khan (27), Mohammed Sharif (37) and Abdul Shukoor (43) — on September 28, 2025.
In connection with the same case, the fourth accused, Ridha Shabana (27), who allegedly conspired and participated in the crime, was arrested on October 4, 2025. Subsequently, the sixth accused, Mali Mohammed Siyan (31), who allegedly supplied weapons to the accused, was arrested on December 15, 2025.
The superintendent of police said further investigation is under way, and efforts are being made to trace and apprehend the absconding prime accused, who is believed to be abroad.