Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jul 30: Investigators on Wednesday reconstructed a key sequence in the Lavanya murder case by conducting a mahazar in Uppinangady, where the accused is alleged to have purchased the weapon used in the brutal killing days after police concluded that the murder was carefully planned.
Lavanya was hacked to death at the B C Road bus stand on July 16, in a murder that sent shockwaves across the region.
According to the investigation, the accused, Chetan, had allegedly chalked out the murder well in advance. As part of the alleged plan, he travelled to Uppinangady on July 15, a day before the incident, and visited a shop dealing in agricultural implements.
Police said Chetan first examined a long knife commonly used for agricultural purposes and enquired about its price before leaving the shop. He then reportedly went elsewhere to make further enquiries before returning to the same outlet and purchasing the knife.
Investigators have also obtained CCTV footage from the shop, which allegedly shows the weapon being wrapped in paper and packed after the purchase. The footage further captures the accused leaving the packed knife at the shop for a short while before returning later to collect it and leave the premises.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the police brought the accused to the shop in Uppinangady on Wednesday to conduct the mahazar and reconstruct the sequence of events. His face was covered with a black cloth while he was taken to the spot, where investigators completed the evidence documentation process.
The investigation into the murder is continuing, with police piecing together the events leading up to the killing.