Four persons have been arrested in connection with the death of Spaniard Francisco Alberto Belil (24) R/o Madrid Spain whose skeletal remains were discovered by the police on 13/03/2007 from the interior forest area of Belthangady taluk. In this connection a case of Death under suspicious circumstances was registered and ASP Puttur Dr.P.S.Harsha was assigned with the investigation.
After preliminary investigation, it has now been established that the deceased was actually hacked to death by four persons. Viz:
1. Shekhar Naik (34) R/o Kenchalgadde Charmadi village Belthangady taluk
2. Prasad Naik (26) R/o Kenchalgadde Charmadi village Belthangady taluk
3. Taranath (20) R/o Kadirudyavara village Belthangady taluk
4. Ananda Naik (28) Kenchalgadde Charmadi village Belthangady taluk
These persons had initially assisted the Spanish adventurist in setting up a camp in the forest area near Charmadi village of Belthangady taluk. Later however, they all conspired together to loot the foreigner of all his valuables and cash and accordingly they went to the forest where the Spaniard had set up the camp and confronted him. When he refused to part with the money, they assaulted him with stone on the head due which he collapsed there itself. Then the accused lifted his body and hanged to a small tree to make it appear as if he has committed suicide. They further took all his articles and cash and returned from there quitely.
All the four have been arrested today morning (19/03/2007) from their villages and certain articles like a tape recorder, audio cassettes, mobile phone, tent articles...etc belonging to the deceased and looted by the accused have been recovered from them. Their further interrogation is still continued.
They will be produced before the jurisdictional judicial Magistrate after completion of this interrogation.
