Mangaluru: The Sixth Additional District and Sessions Judge, Kantaraju SV, has sentenced Siddiq (34), a resident of Thenkakajekaru village in Bantwal taluk, to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh for murdering his relative, Mohammed Rafeeq (20), in September 2021.
Crime Details
Public Prosecutor Choudhari Motilal revealed that Siddiq committed the murder due to personal rivalry. On September 12, 2021, Siddiq visited Rafeeq’s house, shared tea with him, and later took him to a secluded area near Kelagina Karla. There, Siddiq stabbed Rafeeq multiple times and crushed his face with a stone before pushing the body into a ditch.
To cover his tracks, Siddiq borrowed a car from a friend, K Fayazuddin, and disposed of the body in a stream at Neerolpe, Bantwal taluk. He then cleaned the car and returned it. Siddiq even visited Rafeeq’s home, feigning ignorance, and asked Rafeeq’s mother, Beefathumma, for food.
Overcome with guilt, Siddiq confessed to the crime the next day at the Punjalakatte police station.
Court Proceedings
The court examined 19 witnesses, 57 documents, and 14 pieces of evidence. Siddiq was convicted under Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (destruction of evidence) of the IPC. In addition to life imprisonment, Siddiq received seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a ₹50,000 fine for evidence tampering.
The court directed the District Legal Services Authority to provide compensation to Beefathumma, the victim’s mother. Public Prosecutors Jyothi P Nayak and B Shekhara Shetty contributed to the case.
Read Also: