Mandya police shoot at accused who killed witness to theft at jewellery store

MANDYA: The police have arrested the main accused in a murder case after a shootout after he attacked a police personnel, near Bheemanahalli in Malavalli taluk in the wee hours on Friday. The accused Kiran has been admitted to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS).

The accused attacked a police constable with a knife.

Police Superintendent Mallikarjun Baladandi said that Kiran, along with Anand, Sharath, Srinivas and Krishnachari had committed a theft at Mahalakshmi Jewellery Store at Kirugavalu in Malavalli taluk on the night of August 17. The accused had stolen 110 gm of gold and 2 kg of silver from the jewellery store after breaking the shutter with a gas cutter.

The neighbouring hotel owner Madappa had witnessed the theft and hence, the gang suffocated him to death. “When the police arrived to arrest Kiran, he attacked a constable with a knife. In self defence, Halagur police inspector Sridhar opened fire at Kiran. All the five have been arrested. Anand also has a case registered against him in Kerala for vehicle theft”, the SP added.