The body of 52-year-old businessman B M Mumthaz Ali, brother of former Karnataka MLA Mohiuddin Bava, was recovered from the Phalguni River near Kulur in Mangaluru city of Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka on Monday. Mangaluru police stated that divers found his body in the river following a search.
Ali, chairman of Misbah Group of Educational Institutions, had been missing since 3 am on Sunday. The police suspect he may have died by suicide, possibly jumping from the Kulur bridge.
According to a report by Indian Express, police confirmed that an FIR has been registered against six individuals, including a woman, in connection with his death.
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B M Mumthaz Ali Was Being Blackmailed By A Gang: Police
"The investigations have revealed that Ali was being blackmailed by a gang for having an illicit affair with a woman. The gang reportedly extorted Rs 50 lakh from him and demanded more money. Before taking his life, Ali sent a voice note to his daughter and a friend saying he was being blackmailed by the gang,” said a police officer.
The police revealed that the family of Ali was aware of the woman who had been blackmailing and continuously harassing him. The woman is believed to have fled to Kerala after the incident, and police have launched a manhunt to apprehend her and other suspects involved.
Initial investigations indicated that Ali, who was involved in community service and served as head of several Masjid committees, left his home around 3 am on Sunday. He drove around the city before stopping near the Kulur Bridge around 5 am. Before parking, his car collided with a bus, after which he left the vehicle on the bridge.
Anupam Agarwal, Mangaluru Police Commissioner told news agency PTI that an investigation was underway to ascertain the cause of his death. He said there were some sex videos based on which, he was being blackmailed.
Police also said the body was taken to the AJ Hospital of the city for post-mortem.