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Madikeri: Virajpet Rural police have arrested three people in connection with the murder of KP Ponnanna alias Vinu, 41, an estate supervisor living in Palangala village. The arrested are Satish KG alias Bopaiah, 19, HB Ravi, 61, and KM Ponnappa alias Appi, 43, all daily wage workers residing in Kedamulluru village. On Oct 21, Somaiah invited Vinu to a local bar in Kadanga, where all five men drank alcohol together. Vinu’s mother filed a missing person report with the Virajpet Rural Police on Oct 26, prompting officers to summon Somaiah for questioning. Panicked by the summons, Somaiah consumed poison and died by suicide on Oct 27.
The trio, along with another accomplice, murdered Vinu, according to the police. Police sources said the four accused held a personal grudge against Vinu following a dispute over keeping a firearm. Another accused in the case died by suicide, allegedly fearing police interrogation. The incident took place in Kadanga village within the Virajpet police limits. Police summoned the fourth suspect, Somaiah, for questioning. The four suspects had planned the murder and allegedly spiked Vinu’s alcohol with poison. After he died from the poisoned drink, they buried his body in the Mudremakki Forest area. The murder came to light when investigators checked Somaiah’s mobile phone. Police summoned the remaining three suspects, and their interrogation led to a confession.
SP Bindu Mani RN said all three suspects have been booked for murder. The investigation was conducted under the guidance of Virajpet in-charge DSP Suraj and CI Anoop Madappa.