Mangaluru: Additional Director General of Police Kamal Panth on January 4, honoured five police officers and a home guard with Rs 20,000 each, for their efforts in nabbing the four accused in connection with the murder of Deepak Rao in Katipalla.

Addressing a press meet at the Commissioner’s office in the city, Kamal Panth said that the input received soon after the incident was very vague and unclear. but the police officers had done an excellent job. “Within no time, all the four accused were arrested in Deepak Rao’s murder”, he exclaimed.

Narrating the incident, the ADGP said that after executing the crime, the accused had fled the spot. “Immediately, the information was flashed through wireless. Taking cue, Home Guard Harish who was near Murukaveri played an active role in identifying the car.

Mulki police sub-inspector and ASI were successful in chasing the car and arresting the two accused. While chasing the car, the officers in danger had to open the fire against four but two of the accused managed to flee. Later, when police inspectors Shantharam and Rafeeq who went to arrest the escapees, even there they had to open the fire, in which the both accused were injured near Mijar Village. Injured Pinky Nawaz and Rizwan were admitted to the hospital while the other two accused were taken into police custody”, ADGP added.

During the press meet, the cash reward was given to Mulki Sub inspector Sheethal Kumar, ASI Chandrashekar, CCB Inspector Shantharam, Panambur Inspector Rafeeq, Police Constable Suresh and Home Guard Harish.

Police Commissioner T R Suresh in the press meet, named the three arrested as Pinky Nawaz, Rizwan Naushad and Mohamed Irshad.

All the accused are facing theft cases in various police stations.

The commissioner also stated that Basheer, a hotelier, who was stabbed on January 3 night, was critically injured in the incident.

“In all, 10 KSRP, 10 CAR, nearly 400 men from various districts like Tumkur, Udupi and Madikeri and 4 SP rank officers have been deployed in the city”, he informed.

IGP of CID Chandrasekar and SP Sudhir Kumar Reddy were present during press meet.