Udupi : The accused Praveen and the deceased Ainaz had known each other since eight months said, Udupi SP Dr Arun K.

Briefing to media on probe relating to the Nejaru murder case wherein four members of a family were brutally killed, the SP said both were friends and that Praveen had helped Ainaz in many ways. However, it has been gathered that Ainaz was not in good terms with Praveen since one month and this might have possibly led to the murder which was pre-planned by Praveen.

He said the case is being probed from all angles and added that Praveen has no criminal background. He worked as a policeman in Puna in 2007 and later joined Air India for its good pay package. The medical report is yet to be received to verify if he had committed the crime under the influence of intoxicants, the SP said.

The SP said the accused had first targeted Ainaz and then killed her mother Haseena, sister Afnan and brother Asim with the same knife and then escaped. He availed treatment for his hand which was injured and after keeping the knife at home had left for his wife’s parental home.

He said the accused has been placed in a separate cell and is under the constant watch of two police personnel.

There is information that Haseena has been financially cheated, the SP said and added that the family was co-operating with the probe.