Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Nov 13: Even after two years, justice continues to elude the family of the victims in the Nejar quadruple murder case. The case remains under trial at the Udupi second additional district and sessions court.
The gruesome incident took place in broad daylight on November 12, 2023, at Nejar under the Malpe police station limits, where a mother and her three children were brutally murdered.
Praveen Pradeep Chougule (40), a native of Sangli in Maharashtra and an employee of Air India Express, had developed an obsession with his colleague Ainaz (21), daughter of Noor Mohammed from Nejar, who was also working as a flight attendant at Mangaluru International Airport. Driven by this obsession, Praveen planned the murder on November 12. To avoid detection, he parked his car near a toll gate and proceeded to Nejar using an auto, bus, and bike. Around 9 am, he entered Ainaz’s house and, in a fit of rage, stabbed her to death. When her mother Haseena (48), elder sister Afnan (23), and younger brother Aseem (13) tried to intervene, he brutally murdered them as well before fleeing the scene.
Haseena’s aunt Hajira (80), who was also present in the house, sustained stab injuries but miraculously survived. A case was registered at Malpe police station. Following a detailed investigation, police arrested the accused on November 14 from Kudachi police station limits in Raibag taluk. Investigating officers submitted a 15-volume charge sheet comprising 2,202 pages and collected 244 pieces of evidence.
With all preliminary stages completed, the case is now in the witness examination phase. So far, the key witnesses — complainant Aifa, her mother Shahin Bibi, and auto-rickshaw driver Shyam — have been examined, with cross-examinations also completed. In total, five witnesses have been examined so far.
The court has scheduled hearings for eight more witnesses on November 14 and 15. On November 15, Noor Mohammed, the head of the victim’s family, and his son will record their statements.
The trial had initially faced delays due to a stay order from the high court and changes in defense lawyers. “The proceedings are now progressing smoothly,” stated special public prosecutor Shivaprasad Alva.