The Udupi district police have invoked provisions of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) against all the six accused allegedly involved in the September 27 murder of transport operator Saifuddin in Malpe police limits as they had criminal history spanning the past decade, with more than two serious cases against them.
Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar in a statement said Section 3 of the KCOCA has been invoked against the accused, thereby further tightening the probe. The Udupi Deputy Superintendent of Police has been nominated to conduct the investigation, while the trial will be conducted by the special KCOCA court in Mysuru. The Act also allows the police to get an extended period of 180 days to complete the probe and submit the chargesheet as against the normal duration of 90 days.
Mr. Shankar said that while the police have so far arrested five accused, the one suspected to be the prime accused has escaped abroad. The police are making efforts to secure him in the country, he added.
The police had arrested three accused — Mohammed Faisal Khan, 27, of Mission Compound, Udupi, Mohammed Sharif, 37, of Kunjibettu, Udupi, and Abdul Shukur, 43, of Katipalla, Mangaluru — on September 28, the very next day of the murder.
The fourth accused, Ridha Shabana, 27, wife of Mohammed Faisal Khan, was arrested October 4. She was accused of hatching a conspiracy in the murder case. Another accused, Maali Mohammed Siyan, 31, of Mission Compound, Udupi, was arrested on December 15. He was accused of supplying lethal weapons to other accused to kill Saifuddin. The police had also seized a car allegedly used in the crime and a mobile phone used by the accused.
Property attachment
Mr. Shankar further said the police could also proceed to attach the properties of the accused as KCOCA provides for the same. Such stringent action will send a warning to offenders and organised criminal groups operating in the district, he said.
Published – December 28, 2025 10:25 pm IST
