Bengaluru: The mystery surrounding the disappearance of a 44-year-old ayurveda doctor, missing for over seven months, has been solved. Police have uncovered that Dr. Anand, a resident of Jayanagar, was murdered by a gang over a property dispute. The accused then dumped his body in the backwaters of the Lakshmana Tirtha river in Mysuru.
Arrests and Confession
Three men have been arrested in connection with the crime:
- Mohammed Ghouse (31), a painter from Sarabandepalya.
- Nadeem Pasha (32), a driver from Banashankari.
- Syed Noor Pasha (39), a resident of Kaverinagar.
According to police, Ghouse and his associates plotted the murder to cover up their fraudulent dealings related to Dr. Anand’s property.
Timeline of Events
- June 1, 2023: Dr. Anand last spoke with his uncle, Raghupatiraj (72), before his phone was switched off.
- July 2023: Raghupatiraj discovered that Anand’s Jayanagar house, located on a 40×40 sq ft plot, had been demolished. Unable to find Anand, the family filed a habeas corpus petition in the Karnataka High Court, which ordered police to trace him.
- October 2023: Investigators tracked Anand’s phone to Chhattisgarh but failed to locate him.
- January 2024: Police arrested Syed Noor Pasha, who confessed to the murder.
The Crime
Ghouse, hired by Anand to paint his house, became aware of a property dispute involving a sale to a buyer named Prasad. Ghouse facilitated the sale for ₹90 lakh, taking ₹45 lakh as an advance. Without Anand’s consent, he handed over the house keys to Prasad, who then demolished the property.
When Anand discovered the fraud and demanded his money, Ghouse conspired with Syed and Nadeem to kill him. On July 9, the trio lured Anand into a car under the pretense of traveling to Bengaluru, strangled him, and disposed of his body in the river.
Discovery of the Body
On July 11, Yelawala police in Mysuru found an unidentified body in the river and buried it after failing to identify it. Later, photographs confirmed it was Dr. Anand.
Legal Developments
The case, initially registered as a missing person’s complaint, has now been converted into a murder investigation. Since the murder occurred in Mysuru, the case will be transferred to the Mysuru police for further investigation.
Police are working to recover the remaining funds and gather additional evidence to ensure justice is served.
