Tragedy strikes: Mother, 3 children brutally murdered in Udupi

NT Correspondent

Udupi: In a community in Hampankatte, Kemmannu, a shocking incident has left residents in disbelief. Four individuals, including a mother and her three children, were discovered brutally murdered, sending shockwaves through the peaceful neighbourhood falling under the jurisdiction of the Malpe police station.

The grim incident unfolded on Sunday, November 12, during the early hours between 8:30 and 9 am.

Preliminary reports paint a harrowing picture of a man entering a residence, engaging in a verbal altercation with a woman, and ruthlessly stabbing her along with her children, bringing about a tragic end to their lives.

The victims

The assailant initiated the brutal attack by targeting the woman, identified as Haseena (46), followed by her children—Afnan (23) and Ainaz (21). Aseem (12), playing outside, rushed into the house upon hearing the screams.

Adding to the horror, Haseena's mother-in-law was also targeted and is currently in critical condition, receiving urgent treatment at a local hospital. The commotion alerted the neighbourhood, prompting a girl to come out from her house upon hearing distressing cries.

The assailant, showing no mercy, threatened the girl to stab her before making a hasty escape from the scene.

The deceased Afnan was employed at Air India Company, while Ainaz was pursuing studies at a logistics institute.

Asim was a Class 8 student in a school in Udupi, and another male sibling, fortunately, absent during the attack, works at Indigo Company. Haseena's husband, Noor Muhammad, re por tedly works in Saudi Arabia.

The seriousness of the situation prompted Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar to visit the crime scene and initiate investigations. Law enforcement is actively working to uncover the motive behind the murders, with forensic teams, dog squads, and other investigative agencies arriving at the scene to piece together the puzzle of this heinous crime.

The accused

The accused, described as bald and wearing a mask, had been dropped off at the location by an auto-rickshaw driver from Santhekatte.

Shyam Nejar, the auto-rickshaw driver, recounted the chilling details of the accused's swift return to Santhekatte within 15 minutes, complete with a mask, bald head, and a black backpack.

The accused, speaking Kannada with a Bengaluru accent, quickly left in another auto-rickshaw from Santhekatte to the Karavali Bypass.

The investigation

Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar has formed five teams to investigate the murder, exploring all angles and aiming to trace the accused as swiftly as possible. He assured the public, stating, "I will provide information as and when there is progress in the investigation."

As the community grapples with the devastating loss, Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, former MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake, Congress leader M. A. Gaffur, and Muslim community leaders visited the spot to offer support and condolences.

Updates on the case will be provided as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, the bodies have been shifted to the KMC mortuary, and the surviving son of the deceased Haseena has reportedly arrived at Manipal in the evening.

Family members anticipate the funeral to take place on November 13 morning after the arrival of the head of the family from abroad, marking a sombre conclusion to this heartwrenching tragedy that has shaken the community to its core.