The chairman said the Jain community suspects that the investigation is being carried out in a "hush hush manner"
Published Jul 14, 2023 | 12:49 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2023 | 12:49 PM
Murder (iStock)
The chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has asked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to entrust the investigation into the brutal murder of a Jain monk in Belagavi district to a very senior officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police, to “unearth the conspiracy” and arrest the real criminals.
Stating that, apparently, the ongoing investigation appeared to be an effort to make it a case of “simple crime” for ransom or valuable property, Commission Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura, in a letter to the chief minister on Thursday, 13 June, said the murder seems to be a “conspiracy”, which needs to be probed at the highest level.
He said the Jain community suspects that the investigation is being carried out in a “hush-hush manner”.
“Throughout the country, the Jain community has approached the NCM showing their concern, to ensure a thorough investigation of this murder and to ensure the security of minorities in Karnataka,” Lalpura said.
It has also been learnt that two persons have been arrested in the matter and the accused are pleading that the motive behind the murder was monetary, he said.
Apparently, the investigation seems to be an effort to make it a case of simple crime for ransom or valuable property, he added.
“It is an established fact that the Jain sadhus do not keep any valuable items or such things in their temples. So the question of committing a crime for pecuniary gains seems to be a very remote possibility,” he pointed out.
The NCM chief further pointed out that the money and other valuable items could only have been kept in the ashram, but there was no reason to kidnap and kill the saint, and hence there seems to be a bigger conspiracy to eliminate Jain sadhus.
The commission also requested, through an advisory, that security be provided to the Jain sadhus during their travels and their places of stay.
“As it concerns the investigation of the murder of a well-respected saint who is known for his intelligence and knowledge of religion, the murder seems to be a conspiracy, which needs to be probed at the highest level. The Jain community suspects that the investigation is being carried out in a hush-hush manner,” he said.
“Since the matter concerns the life and security of the Jain dharm gurus, you are requested to entrust the investigation of this case to a very senior officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police, to unearth the conspiracy and arrest the real criminals,” Lalpura said in the letter.
The officer may also be directed to keep the NCM informed about the progress of this case every fortnight, he added.
Detailing the developments so far, the letter said, on 6 July, it was found by the chairman of the trust, who manages the administration of Nandi Parvat, that Swamiji’s whereabouts could not be traced even as his belongings were in the ashram.
“Accordingly, a complaint was filed with the Commissioner of Police. On 8 July, it was reported that Swamiji has been brutally murdered by giving an electric shock, and thereafter his dead body was mutilated in pieces and put into a bore well in Khatakbhavi, which was later on recovered by the police. Such a brutal murder of a Jain saint has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the Jain community,” it added.
Jain monk Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj of Nandi Parvat Ashram at Hirekodi village in Chikkodi taluk of Belagavi was allegedly murdered, and his body dumped in a borewell pit at Khatakbhavi village in Raibag taluk last week.
Police have arrested Narayana Basappa Mali and Hassan Dalayath in connection with the case.
Nandi Maharaj had given Mali ₹6 lakh for purchasing building materials for an under-construction 22-classroom school building. When the contractor failed to provide the materials, the seer demanded the money back, the police said.
Miffed over the demand, he decided to eliminate the seer. He roped in Dalayath, a tipper-lorry driver, who also ran errands for the contractor, to dispose of the body. Mali was confident that his “meticulous” plan would help them escape arrest since there would be no evidence, the police said.
After murdering the seer, they cut the body into pieces to fit a 30-foot borewell on Mali’s farm at Katakabhavi village, around 30 km from the Ashram. They also put soil over into the well to mask the stench.
The Opposition BJP in the state had staged protests on 12 and 13 July both inside and outside the Legislative Assembly demanding a CBI probe into the murder, and had also petitioned the Karnataka Governor in this regard.
Home Minister Parameshwara, however, said, “No one should politicise such cases. After the police got to know about the incident and the complaint was filed, they immediately swung into action and arrested the culprits.”
“They have recovered the body parts that were dumped in a borewell pit and took necessary action. I compliment the police for the swift action,” he added.
On a question over the demand for a CBI probe, the minister said the police department was efficient.
(With PTI inputs)
