By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
Udupi: A premeditated attack shocks transport community
A 52-year-old bus operator from Udupi, identified as Saifuddin alias Saif, was brutally murdered in what police have described as a revenge-driven, pre-planned attack. The incident, which has shaken the transport sector in coastal Karnataka, is now being linked to old rivalries and criminal feuds dating back years.
Incident details
According to police reports, Saifuddin, who operated private buses under the AKMS services in Udupi and Mangaluru, was lured from his home in Manipal to Kodavoor. He was later attacked near Salmar Nagabana, where assailants used rods and swords to kill him on the spot. The nature of the assault has led investigators to conclude that the murder was deliberate and coordinated.
Suspects in custody
The police have arrested three suspects: Mohammad Sharif (37), Abdul Shukur (43), both from Mangaluru, and Mohammad Faizal Khan (27), who was reportedly close to Saifuddin and managed some of his bus operations.
Both Sharif and Shukur were previously accused in the 2020 murder of Vasishtha, registered under Hiriyadka police limits. Their past involvement in violent crimes has strengthened suspicions that this killing is linked to ongoing personal and business rivalries.
Victim’s criminal history
Police sources revealed that Saifuddin himself was not free from controversies. He was named in two past murder cases and had been identified as a “rowdy-sheeter” under both Udupi and Hiriyadka police stations. Investigators are now examining whether his criminal background contributed to the animosity that led to his killing.
Police statement and community appeal
Superintendent of Police Arun K stated that the murder investigation is being pursued from multiple angles, including personal enmity and the possibility of larger conspiracies. He urged the public not to believe unverified social media posts that could inflame communal sentiments, stressing that the crime appears to stem from old personal rivalries rather than religious motives.
A tense atmosphere in Udupi
The incident has sparked concern within the transport business community, where competition and disputes often run deep. Residents of the region have expressed worry about the return of violent gang rivalries that were once frequent in the coastal districts. Police presence has been heightened in sensitive areas to prevent unrest.
While three arrests have been made, police are continuing to probe whether others were involved in planning or financing the attack. The case highlights how unresolved disputes and rivalries can escalate into deadly violence, unsettling both the community and the business sector in Udupi.
