Udupi : ASP confirms arrest of accused in stabbing auto driver, stoning mosque

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Feb 2, 2017 :   Assistant Superintendent of Police  Vishnuvardhan who spoke to reporters here on February 2, Thursday has confirmed the arrest of Ankit Poojary in connection with the recent incident of stabbing an autorickshaw driver to death and critically injuring another near Karavali Junction in Udupi. The ASP informed that Ankit was also responsible for  stoning a mosque at Adi Udupi.

Vishnuvardhan informed that 24 year old Ankit was a resident of Kumpala and stayed at a rented house at Pandubettu with his wife and  sister. He works as an assistant  at a shop dealing in interiors owned by his brother, the ASP said and added that Ankit nurtured hatred towards Muslims which resulted in the two incidents.

The ASP informed that on January 28 night Ankit who was heading towards Ullal from Pandubettu had stopped his bike near the mosque and stoned it before  leaving the place.

The same night he happened to confront Haneef who was reportedly driving his autorickshaw on the wrong side of the road resulting in an altercation following which Ankit stabbed Haneef and injured another auto driver  Shabbir who came to his rescue.

If reports earlier suggested that Ankit was a Hindu Jagarana Vedike activist, the ASP said efforts are underway to find if he was associated with any outfit.

The SP however did not reveal the location from where Ankit was arrested.