Judicial probe ordered in suicidal death of undertrial prisoner: Udupi SP

Kundapur: Udupi District Superintendent of Police Hakay Akshay Machhindra informed that a judicial probe has begun in connection with the suicidal death of an undertrial prisoner in a sub-jail near Hiriadka.

The deceased Sadananda Sherigar (52), had been accused of murdering a man named Anand Devadiga to escape punishment in another case — allegedly taking inspiration from the movie “Kurup”.

Speaking to media persons, Machhindra said that a judicial inquiry has been ordered as the suicide occurred when he was in jail. “The exact reason for the suicide will be determined after the probe. We will find if he left behind a death note or any other evidence hinting at his suicide during the probe. All his personal belongings during his prison time have been seized,” the SP said adding that he could not give any further information at the time.

The murder case:

Sadananda who was wanted in another case in Karkala police jurisdictional limits, had allegedly hatched a conspiracy along with his aides to — Shilpa Poojary (30), Nitin Devadiga (40) and Satish Devadiga (50), to evade arrest in the case. Taking inspiration from the movie Kurup, they zeroed in on Anand Devadiga, a Karkala resident with the intention of murdering him and passing it off as Sadananda’s death, police had said.

On the day of the incident, the gang forcefully made Anand drink alcohol along with sleeping tablets. Later they took him to a secluded area falling under the forest department limits of Henuberu, Byndoor taluk in Sadananda’s car and torched it. Anand’s body was found charred beyond recognition.

However, police investigations revealed the truth, and all the accused in the case were nabbed.

On December 11, Sadananda was found hanging in his cell by the other inmates. He was rushed to the nearby hospital but he died midway.

Suicide out of remorse?

It is gathered that Sadananda had begun maintaining a diary in prison and used to write daily. The diary has reportedly revealed that he felt remorse over his actions and the pain that it had brought to his family. Sources said that he had also written that he was depressed and that he may not be freed from jail. Further facts are likely to emerge from the judicial investigation.