Beauty parlour shooting: scientific evidence to lock Pujari and gang

KOCHI: The Anti-Terrorism Squad probing the beauty parlour shooting case has started gathering scientific evidence to confirm the involvement of criminal gangs mentioned by Ravi Pujari in the case. The probe team is collecting information related to phone calls made by the gang members, their bank transactions and the places in which they gathered after the incident. The ATS will interrogate the suspected goons in the coming days. Some of the accused have gone abroad.

Ravi Pujari, the third accused in the case, will be produced in the Ernakulam CJM court today as his custody period expires today. The Anti-Terrorism Squad will also submit the remand report and the voice sample collected. The sound sample will be handed over today for scientific testing with the permission of the court. The custody period may not be extended as crucial information related to the case has been obtained from Pujari. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Ravi Pujari will be taken into custody by the Kasargod Crime Branch in connection with the shooting incident at the house of MT Muhammad Kunhi, a contractor in Kasargod Bevinje. During the interrogation, Pujari had confessed to the crime in this case as well. Before the shooting, Ravi Pujari had called Muhammad Kunhi and threatened him.

5 days, critical information

Ravi Pujari was brought to Kochi from Bangalore by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on the night of June 2. During these five days, a lot of information was collected that could lead to a breakthrough in the case.

1. Confession
Ravi Pujari has confessed that he was behind the shooting of actress Leena Maria Paul's beauty parlour in Panampally Nagar and the house of maintenance contractor MT Muhammad Kunhi. Leena's beauty parlour was attacked after she refused to pay Rs 25 crore.

2. Voice recognized
Leena has recognized the voice of Ravi Pujari and confirmed that it was the same person who called her on the phone and demanded money.

3. Goonda links
The ATS team has obtained the names and details of those involved in the case, such as Kasargod native Jia, mediators Monai, Dr Ajaz and goonda from Perumbavoor who organized the criminal gang to shoot.

4. Criminal gangs targeting money

Pujari's revelation that there are criminal gangs across the country targeting hawala and corruption money is crucial.