Bantwal: Eleven days after being admitted to hospital following his arrest, Chetan, the prime accused in the murder of a young woman at the B C Road KSRTC bus stand, was taken into custody by the Bantwal town police on Monday after doctors declared his condition stable. A court later remanded him to four days of police custody for further investigation into the case.
The accused, a resident of Odilnala in Beltangady, had been undergoing treatment after allegedly consuming rat poison in an apparent suicide attempt following the murder. With his health improving, investigators have now begun questioning him as part of the ongoing probe.
Accused arrested after fleeing murder scene
The case relates to the murder of Lavanya, a resident of Kakyapadavu, who was allegedly hacked to death with a lethal weapon by Chetan at the B C Road KSRTC bus stand on July 16.
According to police, the attack took place in a public area, sending shockwaves across the district. Following the incident, a murder case was registered at the Bantwal Rural Police Station.
After carrying out the attack, Chetan allegedly fled the scene in a car. Police launched an immediate search operation and managed to trace and arrest him in Mangaluru the following day.
Hospitalised after suspected suicide bid
Soon after his arrest, police suspected that Chetan had consumed rat poison in an apparent attempt to end his life.
He was initially admitted to the Bantwal Government Hospital, where doctors provided primary treatment. As his condition required specialised medical care, he was later referred to Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru.
At Wenlock Hospital, the accused was first admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), where doctors closely monitored his condition. After his health gradually improved, he was shifted to the general ward for further treatment and observation.
Medical authorities continued to monitor his recovery before declaring him fit to be discharged into police custody.
Police secure four-day custody
Following the improvement in his health, the Bantwal town police formally took Chetan into custody on Monday to continue the investigation.
He was produced before the jurisdictional court, which remanded him to four days of police custody. Investigators are expected to question the accused regarding the motive behind the murder, the sequence of events leading up to the attack and other aspects connected to the case.
Police are also likely to verify evidence collected during the investigation and examine any additional leads that emerge during custodial interrogation.
Investigation under senior officers’ supervision
The investigation is being led by Bantwal Town Police Inspector Ananthapadmanabha under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Yash Kumar Sharma.
Officials are continuing to gather evidence, record witness statements and complete procedural formalities as part of the murder investigation. Police have not disclosed further details from the interrogation, stating that the probe is still in progress.
The murder of Lavanya had triggered widespread concern in the region due to the nature of the attack and the location where it occurred. With the accused now in police custody, investigators are expected to intensify efforts to complete the probe and file the charge sheet within the stipulated timeframe.