Mangaluru: The lifeless body of Mumtaz Ali, brother of former MLA Moideen Bawa and chairman of the Misbah Group of Educational Institutions, has been recovered from the Phalguni River near Kulur following a thorough search operation.
The investigation has taken a serious turn with the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against six individuals, including a woman. The accused allegedly blackmailed Ali by falsely claiming that he was involved in an illicit relationship with her. Reports suggest that the group extorted Rs 50 lakh from him and subsequently demanded an additional Rs 50 lakh.
The FIR, lodged by Ali’s brother, accuses the six individuals of instigating Ali to take his own life through their blackmail and malicious propaganda.
According to sources, Ali left his residence at 3 AM on Sunday, heading towards Suratkal. During his journey, his vehicle collided with a private bus near MCF, after which he apologised to the bus driver and conductor. He then made a U-turn at Panambur Circle and returned towards Kulur Bridge.
Further investigation revealed that Ali had sent a voice message in Byari, identifying a person who had been subjecting him to mental harassment. This message, addressed to his daughter and a friend, suggested that he was contemplating ending his life.