MANGALURU: In an unusual development, several rowdy-sheeters and persons with criminal antecedents have been claiming that they have a hand in the murder of Abdul Jaleel Karopadi , 36, vice-president of gram panchayat in Bantwal Taluk.The claimants are trying their best to mislead investigating officers. On April 20, Abdul Jaleel Karopadi was hacked to death by bike-borne miscreants in broad daylight. Around four masked men, arrived at the panchayat office around noon, threw chilli powder on Jaleel's face and attacked him with lethal weapons. He died on the way to the hospital."Soon after the murder, many came forward pointing to several rowdy-sheeters and others with criminal background as being behind the crime. When we interrogated them, we realized that they were all trying to save the accused by providing false information," reveals a source from Dakshina Kannada district police, on condition of anonymity adding that political as well personal rivalry led to the murder of Jaleel.However, police have zeroed in on the accused. "It was a complicated case with several twists and turns," the source adds.Five days after the crime, police recovered two motorcycles, two machetes and clothes in a bush near Muguli near the Karnataka-Kerala border. It was found a few kilometres from Karopadi, where the assailants had hacked Jaleel. Police who checked vehicles and other things found that it had no connection to the murder and concluded that it was planted there to mislead the investigation. Initially it was made to believe that the assailants were from Kerala. "All these tactics including persons surrendering themselves claiming to be the assailant was to divert investigation and more importantly to save the real culprits," added another senior police official, who too wished to remain anonymous.Another highly-placed source mentioned that the murder was reportedly put on hold due to the Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypolls.Minister gheraoedOn Thursday, district minister B Ramanath Rai who was returning after taking part in the religious rituals at the Jaleel's house was gheraoed by his supporters. They alleged that though Jaleel had dedicated himself to the party, no Congress leader had bothered to visit the family.

Stay updated with all the Latest Mangalore headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.