Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Sep 19: Stepping up their offensive against organised crime syndicates, law enforcement authorities have invoked the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) against all the accused involved in the high-profile murder of Abdul Rehman of Kolattamajalu and the brutal assault on his colleague Kalandhar Shafi.
The tragic incident originally unfolded on May 27, when the victims were targeted by a motorcycle-borne gang while unloading sand from a pick-up vehicle at Irakodi in Kurniyal village, coming under the jurisdiction of the Bantwal Rural police station (Crime No. 54/2025).
As part of these intensified legal measures, the infamous Goonda Act has also been officially slapped against six key individuals connected to the heinous crime. The list of prime accused targeted under the rigorous Goonda Act features Bharath Kumdelu (38), Shivaprasad (33), Pradeep (34), Abhin Rai (32), Tejaksha (24), and Ranjith, also known as Ranju (35).
The inclusion of Ranjith under these stringent provisions follows a methodical and persistent manhunt by local investigators. Ranjith, a resident of Pudu village, was earlier apprehended as the 13th accused in the extensive case after being tracked down and taken into custody.
Following the initial horror of the assault — which triggered widespread shockwaves and prompted heavy security deployments across the sensitive Dakshina Kannada district — police teams systematically rounded up suspects over successive weeks.
While initial arrests netted 12 suspects who were subjected to extensive custodial interrogation before being remanded to judicial custody, subsequent raids pushed the arrest tally upwards.
Senior police officials overseeing the investigation noted that the decision to implement KCOCA and the Goonda Act reflects a zero-tolerance policy towards repeat offenders and organized criminal elements. "The police have taken this firm step to deal strictly with perpetrators involved in grave and organized offenses under the jurisdiction," official sources stated, emphasising that authorities are determined to dismantle the network entirely and bring all culprits to absolute justice.