Mangaluru : Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim, who is also the District Magistrate, invoked the Act against Haneef (29), Asif (25) and M. Imran (23). The three have been accused in various cases of murder, attempt to murder and damage to public property.

Three persons from Maripalla, in Bantwal Rural limits, have been booked under the Goonda (The Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Gamblers, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum Grabbers Act, 1985) Act.

The police said Haneef, Asif and Imran were arrested in September on the charge of murdering Rifayee, an autorickshaw driver. Rifayee was the younger brother of Touseef, an accused in the murder of Naushad. Haneef, Asif and Imran have been accused of murdering to avenge Naushad’s murder.

Superintendent of Police Sharanappa S.D. said there were apprehensions about the three continuing on their revenge spree and hence it was recommended to impose the Goonda Act. Haneef, Asif and Imran are involved in 12 criminal cases registered in the Bantwal Rural police station, one case in the Bantwal Town and the Bajpe police station.

The Mangalore city police have so far invoked the Act against four persons. There are protests against the imposition of the Act against Manoj Kodikere, a Hindu Jagarana Vedike activist, who has been accused in various cases of murder, attempt to murder and extortion cases.