Udupi; Nov 30: Though police could not arrest Yogesh even after three days of search, who was accused in Ranjitha’s murder case in spite of rising protests especially by Dalit organizations, it was on Nov 30,Saturday , locals who spotted and caught Yogesh and then handed over him to the police after three days of relentless manhunt. Eight teams were formed to apprehend Yogesh.
Yogesh, who went absconding after stabbing Ranjitha, on Nov 27, Wednesday morning, the family of Ranjitha as well as leaders of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, had alleged the police failure led to the incident and had put the blame squarely on Malpe SI for not taking suitable action against Yogesh despite requests and formal complaint.
However, owing to the pressure especially by Dalit organizations, Malpe SI Jayant M was suspended from duty in connection with fatal stabbing of Ranjitha on Nov 29, Friday night.
According to the available sources, Yogesh was found hiding on a bundle of logs covered with tarpaulin in the premises of one Karunakar’s house. It was on Saturday morning, when Karunakar’s wife heard some suspicious movement under the tarapaulin, alerted her husband about it. On removing the cover, the couple found Yogesh hiding there.
Realizing the identity of Yogesh, Karunakar talked to him and persuaded him to surrender before the police as locals might attack him and subsequently he agreed to surrender himself.
However, when he was being taken to police station by Karunakar, he escaped from his hands and jumped over a wall. On hearing, the Karunakar’s alarm, scream locals began to chase him. In the process, one of them identified as Janardhan fractured his hand and got admitted to hospital.
The locals however caught hold of Yogesh after heavy chase and called the police. The police led by Udupi circle inspector Maruti Nayak arrived to the spot and took Yogesh under their custody.
Yogesh, who was injured on his leg was looking pale, fatigue and exhausted due to hunger was taken to nearby Ajjarkad hospital for medical examination.
Sources also said that Yogesh wanted to take refuge in a forest near Kadekr but came to Karunakar’s house in search of food and place to rest.
