VIJAYAPURA: Notorious criminal from the Bhima river banks, Bhagappa Harijan (50), who had unleashed a reign of terror in Vijayapura and Kalaburagi districts, was shot dead by unidentified men outside his house on Tuesday night.
Bhagappa was a dreaded name in the region and had survived four bullet injuries five years ago. On Tuesday night, he was shot and attacked with sharp weapons and found in a semi-naked state at Bhavani Nagar near the radio station.
Bhagappa Harijan was among the dreaded criminals of the region who had spread terror over the decades. Following his killing, senior police officials visited the spot. Police Superintendent Lakshman Nimbargi said Bhagappa was killed when he was walking outside his house. “We don’t know how many attackers were there. They shot at him and attacked him with sharp weapons. Bhagappa was wanted in 10 cases including murder and extortion. We are on the lookout for the attackers”.
After the post-mortem examination at the B M Patil Medical College and Hospital Hospital, the body was shifted to Bhagappa’s native Byadagihala in Alamel taluk. According to his daughter Gangubai’s complaint to the Gandhi Chowk police station, Pintu Agarakeda B H and his associates may have killed Bhagappa after the murder of his brother Ravi Agarkeda.
Police Superintendent Lakshman Nimbargi said Bhagappa Harijan was a close associate of notorious criminal Chandappa Harijan and was involved in several murders along with him. After Chandappa was killed in an encounter, Bhagappa made a name for himself and had a rift with Chandappa’s brothers over property issue.
Bhagappa had survived a murder bid by Chandappa brother Basavaraj Harijan at the Vijayapura district court and later, Basavaraj was killed. It is believed that Bhagappa was responsible for the killing.