Karnataka - Bangalore

Man hacked to death in retaliatory attack

Staff Reporter

The 38-year-old was killed even as his wife watched in horror

BANGALORE: In a retaliatory attack, an armed gang hacked to death a 38-year-old man in full public view in Vijayanagar police station limits on Saturday even as his wife watched in horror.

The police gave his name as Ganesh, a resident of Bakshi Garden in Cottonpet. Ganesh, who claimed himself to be a social worker, was the elder brother of history sheeter Kupendra alias Guppa, who been jailed under the Goonda Act.

The police said that around 10 a.m. Ganesh and wife Kasturi were returning home from the Shani Mahatma Temple at M.C. Circle in Vijayanagar on a two-wheeler. Around 10 men, who were waiting near the telephone exchange junction at Manuvana, stopped Ganesh and pushed him.

As he fell, they attacked him with swords and choppers, killing him on the spot.

While there were reports that Kasturi was injured in the attack and she had been hospitalised, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) K.V. Sharathchandra denied it. The police suspect that Ganesh was murdered to avenge the death of Balu (28), who was hacked by armed men near Urvashi cinema on April 21.

Investigation

Preliminary investigation revealed that Balu's brother Shankar led the gang that killed Ganesh.

Balu's aides were under the belief that Kupendra had got him eliminated, the police said. The Vijayanagar police have registered a case and are on the lookout for the assailants.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Bipin Gopalkrishna and Mr. Sharathchandra visited the scene of crime.

Balu, a Dalit Panthers of India leader, was dragged out of his car and hacked to death by a few youths who had trailed his vehicle on motorcycles.

According to the police, Balu had petitioned to senior police and Excise Department officers that matka and illicit arrack trade were flourishing in Bakshi Garden and surrounding areas in Cottonpet. Acting on Balu's complaint, the officials had taken action against a few people.

Those who were running the illicit trade had approached Kupendra and he masterminded Balu's murder from jail, the police said.

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