Chikkamagaluru: CID sleuths who have camped in the district in connection with the investigation of the abduction case involving slain DySP Kallappa have taken several suspects into custody and are questioning them.
                                        Late DySP Kallappa Handibhag and the victim Tejas Gowda

On July 9, the sleuths at the police guest house interrogated several people who were caught during a raid on a gambling den near Chikkamagaluru on June 27.

Nataraj, a financier, one of the accused in the abduction case, who was under judicial custody was taken into CID custody for interrogation by CID ASP Rajappa led team. The Scorpio used for the purpose of abduction has also been seized.

Earlier, Praveen Khandya, a local Bajrang Dal leader was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department sleuths in connection to the suicide case of DySP Kallappa Handibhag. Khandya is also the prime accused in an abduction and extortion case of a youth from Chikkamangaluru, which was earlier touted to have been executed by Kallappa himself.

It may be recalled that a gang of gamblers were gambling at a den in Chikkakolale village here in June when police raided and arrested 23 persons. One of the 23 persons arrested was Tejas Gowda who got bail. He was later kidnapped by a gang, taken to Bengaluru and was demanded Rs 10 lakh as ransom. DySP Kallappa was said to be involved in the entire abduction and ransom episode. When Tejas’s friend had called the particular number, it turned out to be Chikkamagaluru police number and Handibhag had received the call. Soon, Handibhag ended life in Belgaum.

Abhijeet, Naveen Shetty and Shivu are the other accused in the case.