Udupi: Mass murder case solved; Aynaz had blocked accused’s mobile number

The city of Udupi was sent into a state of shock when four members of a family including Haseena (46) and her three children, Afnan (23), Aynaz (21), and Aseem (12) were murdered in the Tripti Nagar area of the city. “The incident took place within the limits of the Malpe police station. Four people of a family have been killed and one person has been injured in the attack. We suspect that it could be a case of personal enmity since no evidence of any theft has been found during the investigation,” Udupi superintendent of police (SP) Arun Kumar had said on November 14th when the incident had come to light. 

The Udupi police have now identified the culprit in this case. Praveen Arun Chougale was a cabin crew member in Air India wherein 21-year Aynaz was an air hostess. A one-sided love affair is said to have been initiated from Praveen’s end. This also is reported to have irked Praveen’s wife. Aynaz is said to have distanced herself from Pravin and blocked his number. 

This was the provocation which caused Pravin to travel to Udupi and carry out the murder. He reportedly stabbed Aynaz in the abdomen. Genital mutilation has also been observed. The other murders were carried out to destroy evidence. 

The police however had a description of the man based on the one person who survived this attack. CCTV visuals and mobile signals helped the police trace Praveen to Belgaum where he was staying with one of his relatives.