Manipal gang rape: Mistaken identity that led to arrest, release of innocent ‘Anand’

Manipal gang rape: Mistaken identity that led to arrest, release of innocent ‘Anand’

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, June 29, 2013: This is the tale of a mistaken identity during the probe into the Manipal gang rape case, that led to the arrest of Anand Poojari of Parkala, who was actually innocent. Anand who was arrested at Maharashtra on Thursday, was later released after police realized he was not the Anand they were searching for and the real accused was arrested in Manipal. Anand Poojari who  has reached hometown on June 28, Friday narrated his plight.

On June 27, Thursday, the first accused in the case Yogish had consumed poison before he was trapped. When he revealed the name of the other accused as Anand of Parkala and Hariprasad, the police immediately sought information about Anand. Realizing that Anand was not in town and had left for Goa, police team leaves for Goa where they locate him when he was on way in his car from Shirdi via Pune.

He said he was arrested when he was returning with a family of Udupi which had hired his car to go to Shirdi and they were on their return journey via Goa. He said the police were well behaved and  his photo was sent to Udupi  police who found that he was not the accused. He said  his mother back at home had collapsed on hearing the news of his arrest in TV. Later my wife explained the facts.

He says he has been receiving innumerous calls on his mobile phone and he was tired of answering that he was not the Anand whom the police were searching.

Anand Poojari has been a driver for all types of vehicles. He was even once the city bus driver. He has also taken passengers to Kerala, Goa, Mumbai and other places. He even runs an autorickshaw at Parkala whenever time permits. Hailing from Thottam, he resides in a house near Parkala bus stand. His wife works for KMC.