Mulki Abdul Latif murder case: Accused arrested after three years

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 2, 2025: An accused in the 2020 Moolki Abdul Latif murder case, who had been absconding abroad using a fake passport despite his bail being cancelled by the High Court, has been arrested by the Mangaluru police. The arrested individual has been identified as Mohammad Mustafa alias Musta.

Mustafa, along with other accused, had allegedly murdered Abdul Latif in broad daylight on June 5, 2020, near Vijaya Sannidhi Highway in Moolki. A total of ten individuals, including Dawood Hakeem and Mohammad Mustafa, were chargesheeted in connection with the case.

The High Court had granted bail to Mustafa on October 10, 2020. However, the bail was cancelled on April 22, 2022. Instead of appearing before the court, Mustafa allegedly fled the country using a fake passport and remained in hiding in Oman for nearly three years. Recently, he reportedly entered India illegally via Nepal and returned to Moolki.

Acting on a tip-off, a special police team apprehended Mustafa near Pakshikere in Moolki on Monday. He has now been remanded to judicial custody, confirmed Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy.

A case has been registered against Mustafa at the Basavanagudi Police Station in Bengaluru for possession of a fake passport. In addition to the Moolki murder case, four more cases are registered against him at Moolki police station, and five cases in total across various districts. Arrest warrants had also been issued against him in two cases registered in Chikkamagaluru and Udupi districts.