Man killed after illegal PDS rice deal goes bad, Rs 4.87 lakh worth of PDS rice seized in separate cases

BAGALKOT, BALLARI: A 40-year-old man, identified as Basavaraj Kanagond, was killed after being knocked down from his two-wheeler which was allegedly staged to look like an accident. The incident occurred on October 8 near Madhurakhandi Cross in Jamkhandi taluk.

Ashfaq Mulla, a rice smuggler, and his accomplices Nandeshwar Pivadi and Mahesh Pivadi, and Ashfaq’s brother Yusuf Mulla have been arrested in connection with the murder.

The police investigation revealed that Basavaraj was murdered due to a dispute over commission in an illegal deal in PDS rice. Ashfaq Mulla had an altercation with Basavaraj over the commission, and later, he and his accomplices allegedly hit Basavaraj with their goods vehicle, making it look like an accident.

The police have arrested the accused and are interrogating them for further information. The goods vehicle involved in the incident (KA 48 AN 1732) has also been seized.

Meanwhile, in a joint operation, the Food and Civil Supplies Department and police have seized approximately 211 quintals of PDS rice worth Rs 4.87 lakh that was being transported illegally at Tekkalakote in Siraguppa taluk.

The 400 bags of PDS rice was being transported in a lorry. The authorities have taken two people, including the lorry driver, into custody, and a case has been registered at the Tekkalakote police station.