Dubai link to pub owner attack case

The accused have been identified as Anwar Hasan, 32, a resident of Belthangady, Mohammed Imran, 33, of Moodabidri in Dakshina Kannada district, Suresh, 28, and Suhail Khan, 26, both from Andhra Pradesh. The other three accused, Rakesh alias Althaf, Asgar Ali alias Munna and Raju, are absconding.

They have been accused of attempting to murder Akthar Shammi alias Chethan, 45, one of the owners of Times Bar and Restaurant in Gold Tower on Residency Road on August 16 night. The assailants had fired two rounds at Chethan and one of the bullets had struck his lower back.

The police had interrogated several people including the pub staff. An employee, Suresh, confessed that he had given information on Chethan’s movements to the accused. Based on his information, the accused were arrested, the police said.

“Absconding accused Rakesh is from Mangaluru and is living in Dubai. He and Chethan were business partners but they parted ways due to differences. Rakesh learnt that Chethan was making earning well from the pub and allegedly made a threat call demanding money. As Chethan did not pay heed, Rakesh hatched a plot along with Asgar Ali, also from Mangaluru and settled in Dubai, to eliminate Chethan. Through Asgar, Rakesh contacted Anwar Hasan and asked him to bump off Chethan,” the police said.

Anwar contacted Imran and put him in touch with Rakesh, who offered Rs 15 lakh supari. Imran was paid an advance of Rs 1.5 lakh. “Imran knew Suhail and Raju, who agreed for the deal. They came to Bengaluru and got information on Chethan’s movements from Suresh. On August 15 night, they did a recce of the pub and the next day they attacked Chethan. Suhail fired, while Imran and Raju stood outside the pub,” the police said.