Udupi: Malpe police have arrested a 55-year-old man from Hubballi in connection with the murder of a scrap collector whose body was found near the Babuthota fishing harbour in Malpe last week.
The accused has been identified as Arogya Das alias Kami, 55, a resident of Hubballi. Police arrested him on the outskirts of Hubballi following an investigation into the death of Parameshi alias Param Veli, also aged around 55 and a native of Andhra Pradesh.
The case relates to the discovery of Parameshi’s body in an open space beside Malpe Marine Agency on September 29. He had reportedly been staying at the location for around three years and earned his livelihood by collecting scrap materials in and around the fishing harbour.
Scrap collector found dead near fishing harbour
According to the complaint, the owner of Malpe Marine Agency closed the premises at around 7pm on September 28 and left the area.
When the owner returned at around 8.30am the following day, Parameshi was found lying on a sack in the open space beside the agency. He was reportedly lying in a pool of blood, with an injury near his neck.
The circumstances indicated that he had been attacked with a weapon. Police subsequently registered a murder case at Malpe Police Station.
The incident had initially been reported as the murder of an unidentified person near the Babuthota dock area, with police beginning an investigation to establish the identity of the victim and identify the person responsible.
Police register murder case
Malpe Police registered a case under Crime No. 107/2026 under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with murder.
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding Parameshi’s death and worked to establish who was responsible for the attack.
The police investigation reportedly indicated that the killing may have been linked to personal enmity. However, the precise circumstances and motive will have to be established through the ongoing legal proceedings.
The accused, Arogya Das, was subsequently traced to the outskirts of Hubballi and arrested by a team from Malpe Police Station.
Accused arrested on Hubballi outskirts
The arrest was carried out as part of the investigation into the murder after police gathered information about the suspected involvement of Arogya Das.
The accused is a native of Hubballi and was arrested in the Hubballi area rather than at the scene of the crime in Malpe.
The arrest marks a significant development in the case, which began after the victim was found dead near the fishing harbour.
Police are expected to investigate the circumstances leading to the alleged attack, the relationship between the accused and the deceased and the motive behind the incident.
Victim had been living near Malpe harbour
Parameshi had reportedly been living in an open area beside Malpe Marine Agency for about three years.
He collected scrap materials from the harbour area to earn a living and reportedly slept on a plastic sack at the same location.
His death brought attention to the conditions in which some workers and informal labourers live around the harbour area.
The discovery of his body early on September 29 led to an investigation by Malpe Police, who sought to determine when and how the attack took place.
Based on the complaint, the suspected period of the offence was between 7pm on September 28, when the agency owner left the premises, and 8.30am on September 29, when the body was discovered.
Police team conducts investigation
The investigation was carried out under the guidance of Udupi Sub-Divisional Police Officer K.U. Belliyappa and Malpe Circle Inspector Ramachandra Naik.
Malpe Police Station PSI Anil Kumar D. led the police team involved in the operation. Head Constables Vishwanath and Adarsha and Constable Kubera were also part of the team that traced and arrested the accused.
The police operation eventually led investigators to the outskirts of Hubballi, where Arogya Das was taken into custody.
Investigation to establish motive
While police have arrested Arogya Das in connection with the case, the investigation and judicial process will determine the circumstances of the killing and the accused’s legal responsibility.
Police have reportedly suspected personal enmity as a possible motive. Details regarding the alleged dispute and the sequence of events leading to the attack have not been fully established in the available reports.
Investigators are likely to examine the relationship between the accused and the deceased, movements around the Malpe harbour during the suspected period and other evidence gathered during the investigation.
The arrest is therefore an important step in the case, but the allegations against the accused remain subject to investigation and court proceedings.
Malpe police continue probe
The murder has highlighted concerns about safety around open spaces in the busy Malpe harbour area, where workers, traders and visitors are present at different times of the day.
The police investigation will now focus on establishing the complete sequence of events surrounding Parameshi’s death.
The case also demonstrates the importance of identifying the circumstances behind crimes involving people living or working in informal settings, where establishing their movements and contacts can sometimes be challenging.
With the arrest of the Hubballi resident, investigators are expected to gather further evidence and establish the motive and circumstances behind the alleged murder.
Conclusion
Malpe police have arrested Arogya Das alias Kami, 55, of Hubballi, in connection with the murder of Parameshi alias Param Veli, a scrap collector from Andhra Pradesh.
Parameshi was found dead with a neck injury in an open space beside Malpe Marine Agency near the Babuthota fishing harbour on September 29. Police registered a murder case and subsequently traced the accused to the outskirts of Hubballi.
The police investigation has reportedly examined personal enmity as a possible motive. Further investigation and court proceedings will establish the circumstances of the death and the allegations against the accused.