Dubai-based businessman murdered in Kasargod

August 5, 2013

Kasargod, Aug 5: A Dubai-based Indian businessman was allegedly murdered at his home in Kerala on Sunday.

A.B Abdul Salam Haji, 58, was allegedly murdered by a six-member gang who forced their way into his home in Kasargod district between 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Sunday, said Thomson Jose, the District Police Chief.

Haji had been living in Dubai for more than 25 years and ran Novelty restaurants and grocery stores, as well as a real estate business in the city.

“Evidence suggests that the motive of the crime was burglary and we have some clues and investigations are going on,” the official said. He said the gang members, who had covered their faces, attacked the victim and his family members, tying them up to rob cash or valuables.

Haji died during the attack and the police are still trying to ascertain the amount of cash or valuables taken by the assailants.

The gang destroyed CCTV cameras installed in the house, the official said.

However, the police could not get proper eyewitness accounts from the family members who were too shocked to talk to the police after the incident. “We will talk to them tomorrow or the day after to get the exact details,” the police chief said.

Asked about a report which said the assailants came to the house on the pretext of fundraising for charity, the official said, being the holy month of Ramadan, it was possible. But such information will be confirmed with proper eyewitness accounts of family members, the official said.

Haji's murder created shock waves among his fellow countrymen in the UAE. He was a leader of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), an organisation having affiliations with Muslim League party in India.

“He has been president of the KMCC committee for the natives of his village Thrikkarippur for the past 25 years,” said Mohammad Ali, a KMCC leader.

He was always active in charitable activities, he said.

Haji had been dividing his time between Dubai and India since he was diagnosed with a minor medical problem a few months ago, Ali said. His 25-year-old eldest son has been looking after the business in Dubai. He left for India on Sunday after the incident.

Haji will always be remembered for his simplicity and kindness, said T.P Siraj who comes from the same district. “He was a successful businessman but always maintained a genuine humility,” Siraj said.

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SIT raids rape accused BJP MLA Munirathna’s residence, 15 other locations

News Network

September 28,2024

Bengaluru, Sep 28: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing charges against arrested Karnataka BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu, including allegations of rape, honey-trapping, and other offences, on Saturday conducted raids at his residence and 15 other locations across the city.

Sources confirmed that the raids were taking place at his Vyalikaval residence and other properties owned by the BJP MLA. The operation is being conducted by the SIT under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) led by ACP Kavitha.

The team is examining documents, electronic devices, and other materials related to the rape and honey-trapping case. The SIT is being supported by experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), with Superintendent of Police (SP) Sowmya Latha also participating in the search and inspection at Munirathna’s Vyalikaval residence.

According to sources, the raids were triggered by information provided by the victim, who alleged that Munirathna recorded footage of sexual assaults and used it to blackmail politicians and public servants, including IAS and IPS officers.

The victim reportedly revealed that she was used to entrap the woman who had lodged a rape case against a senior IFS officer. She was allegedly instructed to frame the rape victim in a drug peddling case.

The complainant told police that she was tasked with capturing compromising videos of the rape victim who had filed the case against the IFS officer. She claimed that, after several failed attempts to obtain the videos, the victim was drugged with sleeping pills, and obscene footage was recorded without her consent. Later, the IFS officer was bailed out from the charges.

Furthermore, the complainant has accused MLA Munirathna of raping her at his office within the state legislature, in his official vehicle, and at his godown. She has alleged that he recorded videos of these assaults.

Police sources also revealed that the victim in the MLA's case provided details of a plot involving sending HIV-infected women to Munirathna's targets in an attempt to ruin them politically and personally. She also disclosed the names of several politicians whom she had entrapped through honey-trapping.

The woman further claimed that Munirathna had threatened to have her son kidnapped and killed if she refused to comply with his demands. According to her, the MLA had a well-organised team dedicated to carrying out these honey-trapping operations, and she provided details about his close associates and relatives involved in the scheme.

Munirathna, who was in judicial custody following his arrest in the rape and honey-trap case, has now been taken into the custody of the SIT.

The MLA was transferred from Bengaluru Central Jail to the CID office on the night of September 24. The BJP legislator, however, has denied all the allegations, claiming they are false.

Karnataka Congress leader D.K. Suresh had alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his adversaries with HIV and that the government should investigate the matter.

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