Police arrest broadband firm owner who ordered hit job on Aironics MD and CEO

BENGALURU: The Amruthahalli police, who have arrested three people in the double murder of Aironics Media Pvt Ltd managing director Phanindra Subamanian and CEO Vinu Kumar, on Thursday arrested the owner of Gnet Broadband, Arun Kumar Azad, in connection with the contract killing.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Lakshmi Prasad said Arun Kumar was involved in the conspiracy and used Shabarish aka Joker Felix to commit the crime. “However, his exact role is being ascertained”, the DCP said.

Shabarish, Santosh, Vinay Reddy and Arun Kumar.

On Wednesday, the police had arrested Shabarish (27) aka Joker Felix, a resident of Devarachikkanahalli on Bannerghatta road, Santosh (26), a resident of Marenahalli, and Vinay Reddy (23) a resident of Rupena Agrahara, from a lodge in Kunigal. They were also questioning Arun Kumar over suspicion about his role in the double murder. Arun Kumar is also a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Before starting Aironics Media, Phanindra was in charge of human resources at Gnet Broadband on Bannerghatta Road, run by Arun Kumar. Phanindra had quit the job eight months ago to start his own company, following which Gnet suffered losses. This prompted Arun Kumar to order the contract killing of Phanindra through Shabarish aka Joker Felix. Arun Kumar has admitted to ordering the hit job, police said.

Footage from CCTVs show Santosh and Vinay Reddy walking ahead with Shabarish in tow; (right) the trio making good their escape from the rear of the building after the double murder.

Meanwhile, the police have obtained CCTV footage of Shabarish, Santosh and Vinay Reddy approaching the Aironics office on foot after parking their motorcycle and making good their escape from the rear of the building barefoot after committing the murders. Shabarish had apparently recced the place earlier and traced the escape route.

According to police sources, Arun Kumar had identified himself with a local MLA and used to pose with guns. He would also threaten those who came in the way of his business. He would get his competitors assaulted and many had quit his firm after being attacked.

Gnet Broadband owner Arun Kumar.

He would also portray himself as a social worker and had even organised a kabbaddi tournament and had founded a group named One Force. Arun Kumar was married to an American citizen, but later divorced her and married the receptionist in his firm. He had set up office at his house at Vijaya Bank Layout in Billekahalli on Bannerghatta Road, the sources said.