JD(S) leader waylaid and hacked to death in Chikkaballapur village

CHIKKABALLAPUR: A JD(S) leader and fan of Union minister H D Kumaraswamy was waylaid and brutally hacked to death when he was returning home from a medical store on his two-wheeler near Thammanayakanahalli Gate on Friday night. The brutal murder has sent shock waves across the town.

Venkatesh, a resident of Tammanayakanahalli was an agriculturist and also into real estate business. He was attacked when he was returning home as usual and police believe that the murder may have been planned beforehand. Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), the dog squad and fingerprint experts visited the spot and collected evidence.

Police Superintendent Kushal Choksi briefing media persons about the murder.

Police Superintendent Kushal Choksi said, “Venkatesh was a resident of Thammanayakanahalli and was into farming and was also a trader. Prima facie, he was attacked with sharp weapons in the head, face and arm. The attack took place when he was riding on an electric two-wheeler after waylaying him. We are looking into whether he had any rivalries or enmity. We will arrest the culprits soon”.

Three months ago, Venkatesh had chided some people who were creating a ruckus near a bar at Thammanayakanahalli Gate. Family members and local JD(S) activists said Venkatesh had no rivalries with anyone.

On Saturday, Venkatesh’s son Bhuvan lodged a complaint with the Chikkaballapur Rural police raising suspicions about the role of Dhanu alias Dhananjaya of Jatavara Hosalli and Aravind of Thammanayakanahalli. Both have switched off their phones and are on the run.

The duo had allegedly picked a argument with a bar cashier three months ago and Venkatesh had allegedly chided Aravind for having called Dhananjay and creating a ruckus. It is suspected that Venkatesh was murdered over this issue.