Dead body of man found inside docked fishing boat

Udupi: Malpe police have registered a case of murder after a man’s dead body was found, within the engine room of a fishing boat by his co-workers here on December 17 morning.

The deceased identified as Preetham, a resident of Orissa was working in a fishing boat owned by Dattaraj, a resident of Katapdi.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Preetham died after being assaulted by another co-worker Maruthi, a Koppal resident allegedly after a quarrel arose between the two in a drunken stupor. 

It is gathered that Dattaraj had on December 10 night set out on a fishing expedition with his workers – Katpadi resident Rajesh, Thottam resident Girish, Orissa resident Birendra, including the deceased Preetham and accused Maruthi. On December 16, the boat returned to Malpe and was anchored at Baputhota deck in the evening.

While all others left for their residence, Maruthi and Preetham stayed back on the boat itself. Next day morning when Dattaraj and Rajesh returned to carry out maintenance works on the boat they found Maruthi in it. They sensed something amiss when they found blood stains on the cabin deck glass and upon inspecting closely they found Preetham’s body, with deep wound on his head inside the engine room.