Who paid huge money to Deepak Rao’s killers?

Mangaluru, Jan 6: The miscreants arrested in connection with the coldblooded murder of Deepak Rao have reportedly received a huge amount of money recently.

The police are not sure whether the money was paid as supari to kill a Hindu youth to create tension in the region ahead of impending Karnataka Assembly polls.

According to sources, prime accused Pinki Nawaz received a huge amount of money, which was later shared among the four accused. The amount was transferred through a bank account.

The four suspects - Pinki Nawaz, Rizwan, Mohammed Naushad and Mohammed Irshan - were arrested within hours of the murder that took place on January 3 at Katipalla. The first two accused sustained bullet injuries when the police opened fire to nab them and the other two are being interrogated by the police.

"The police are investigating whether the money was paid for the murder. Deepak Rao was not a prominent leader of BJP, Bajrang Dal or any other organisation. He was only a BJP member. The police are investigating the purpose behind the transfer of money," said a police officer, who is part of the investigation team.

Local MLA B A Mohiuddin Bava earlier revealed that Pinki Navaz was an activist of BJP minority morcha and that he had campaigned for BJP candidate Krishna J Palemar in 2013 assembly elections. However, Palemar has disowned Pinki Navaz. “Bava is spreading lies. Pinki has no connection with BJP,” Palemar claimed.

Meanwhile, Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader has demanded a thorough probe into the background of  the accused. “There is a need for checking the background of all accused who killed Deepak Rao. Details of the persons, who support them financially should also be brought before law," Mr Khader said.