Beltangady: Beltangady police have arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with a theft at an industrial premises in Shaktinagar, Kuvettu, in which his alleged accomplice died accidentally during the commission of the crime. Police have also recovered 550 kg of stolen aluminium wire during the investigation.
The accused has been identified as P Ibrahim Latheef (36), a resident of Kashipatna in Beltangady taluk. According to police, he was arrested on July 14 following an investigation into the incident that initially began as an unnatural death case.
Death initially registered as an unnatural death case
The case came to light after the death of Mustaq, whose body was found under suspicious circumstances. Based on the available information, the Beltangady police initially registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR No. 35/2026) on July 1 under Section 194(3)(iv) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During the course of the investigation, officers gathered evidence indicating that a theft had taken place at the location where Mustaq was found dead. This prompted police to launch a separate criminal investigation into the alleged theft.
Separate theft case registered
Following the preliminary findings, Beltangady police registered Crime No. 73/2026 under Sections 331(4), 305 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in connection with the theft at the industrial establishment in Shaktinagar, Kuvettu.
Investigators subsequently identified Ibrahim Latheef as one of the alleged suspects involved in the incident and took him into custody as part of the investigation.
Accused allegedly confessed to theft
According to police, Ibrahim Latheef disclosed during interrogation that he, the deceased Mustaq and another alleged accomplice had entered the premises of an establishment in Shaktinagar, Kuvettu, on the night of June 30 with the intention of committing theft.
Police said the trio allegedly trespassed into the industrial premises and stole aluminium and iron materials.
During the alleged theft, Mustaq’s neck reportedly became entangled in an iron wire, resulting in his accidental death at the scene. His death subsequently led to the registration of the unnatural death case before investigators uncovered evidence of the alleged theft.
Police stated that further investigation is continuing to establish the complete sequence of events and identify the role of the remaining accused.
Stolen aluminium wire recovered
As part of the investigation, police recovered 550 kg of stolen aluminium wire believed to have been taken from the industrial premises.
The recovery is considered a significant breakthrough in the case and forms an important part of the evidence collected during the investigation.
Officials are continuing efforts to trace the remaining stolen property, if any, and to identify the whereabouts of the other accused allegedly involved in the crime.
Accused allegedly linked to multiple theft cases
During the investigation, police also found that Ibrahim Latheef is allegedly involved in several other theft cases.
According to police, he is suspected to be connected with 16 theft cases registered at various police stations, including Venoor, Uppinangady, Arehalli and Shivamogga Rural, among others.
Investigators are verifying his alleged involvement in these cases and are coordinating with the respective police stations as part of the ongoing probe.
Police said the investigation into the theft case is continuing, and further action will be taken based on the evidence collected and the outcome of the investigation.