Karnataka businessman missing, damaged car found near Kulur bridge

Mangaluru: A large-scale search operation is underway after Karnataka businessman Mumtaz Ali went missing under mysterious circumstances, with his damaged car discovered near the Kulur bridge here on Sunday morning, police confirmed.

Ali, who is the brother of Janata Dal (Secular) MLC BM Farooq and former Congress MLA Mohiuddin Bava, was reported missing after his vehicle was found abandoned near the bridge at around 5 am. The car showed signs of damage, raising suspicions.

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#WATCH मंगलुरु, दक्षिण कन्नड़ (कर्नाटक): JD(S) एमएलसी बी एम फारूक और पूर्व कांग्रेस विधायक मोहिउद्दीन बावा के भाई मुमताज अली लापता। उनकी कार कोल्लूर ब्रिज के पास मिली। pic.twitter.com/HdJZ1Vtqwj

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Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal stated that Ali had left his home at approximately 3 am and appeared to have been driving around the city before his car was found. His daughter promptly alerted the police after the discovery of the vehicle, which initiated an immediate investigation and search operation.

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#WATCH | Mangaluru, Karnataka: Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal says, "Today early morning we received information that a businessman Mumthaz Ali's vehicle was found near Kulur bridge. He might have jumped from the bridge. Local police reached the spot and started the… pic.twitter.com/t2yJzC66fi

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Preliminary findings suggest that Ali may have jumped from the bridge, though no concrete evidence has been found to confirm this theory. Authorities are focusing on the damaged vehicle’s proximity to the river, fearing that he may have fallen into the water.

Search efforts have intensified, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Coast Guard scouring the river. As the investigation progresses, officials continue to seek more information about the circumstances leading to Ali’s disappearance. The incident has sparked concern across Mangaluru, especially given Ali's connections to prominent political figures.