His death on Tuesday evening, however, leaves many unanswered questions and the post-mortem, forensic and ballistic reports may be able to shed light on it.
Acting on a tip-off that Naxals were hiding in a house at Elluhaklubailu-Kowrihaklu, 70 policemen went to the spot. The house, interestingly, belongs to Ganesh Gowda who is serving in KSRP at Machenahalli near Bhadravati, and was occupied by one Sudhakar and family from Tallur village.
Venkatesh was leading the ambush squad and was reportedly hiding behind a tree when the Naxals opened fire on him, killing him on the spot. Though the police fired back, the Naxals fled the scene. Significantly, while Satyanarayana Rao, IG (West Range), told reporters that Venkatesh had been killed by the Naxals “in an exchange of fire”, he did not rule out a ‘mishap’ since the operation took place in dark. “The truth will be revealed only after we get the (three) reports,” he said.
The local police top brass felt the evening was ideal for the operation as it was heavily raining, “making it difficult for the Naxals to sense our movement”. As the Anti-Naxal Force avails itself of the services of local police, who are familiar with the topography of the region, Venkatesh (who hails from Heggodu) was assigned the task of navigating the ambush squad.
Venkatesh was in civil dress and without the bullet-proof jacket and arms but the Naxals obviously saw through his ‘disguise’ well before the ambush squad could take position and the assault squad arrived from the base camp. The Naxal team reportedly comprised 12 Maoists, four of whom were guarding the hideout. According to the police, the extremists were having dinner when the incident took place.
Denial
Sudhakar said that “by 7 pm we heard firing near house and, scared, myself and family fled to Tallur village.” As for the plates with unconsumed food found in the house, he said that “after we left someone might have entered the house.” He strongly denied that Naxals had taken refuge in his house.
While, the police said exchange of fire took place till late into the night residents of Kowrihaklu and Tallur villages said they heard firing at around 6.30 pm which lasted till about 7.15. Elluhaklubailu is 2 km from Gubbiga-Tallurangadi where Naxals burnt a KSRTC bus on July 1 and looted four houses on July 15.
Cremation
ASI Venkatesh was cremated with State honours at his native Heggodu in Tirthahalli taluk on Wednesday evening. Venkatesh in survived by wife, two daughters and a son. Though serving at Malur police station, he had been deployed for guarding the BSNL tower and checkpost near Agumbe.
Venkatesh’s body was brought to Agumbe on Tuesday night and later shifted to JC Hospital in Tirthahalli town for the post-mortem.
Tirthahalli town observed a informal bandh on Wednesday. As the body was being brought to his home village, people paid their last respects at many points.

'Run' for cover
Suspicion is rife that a team of armed Maoists, who visited the house of BJP leader Ranganath at Bukkadibaliu near Shringeri, on Tuesday morning moved towards Elluhaklubailu by evening for safety.
The police suspect that the Maoists are using a vehicle provided by one Naxal supporter.
The police also suspect a change in leadership of Naxals operating in Malnad and coastal regions after their leader Raju Mowli was killed in an encounter recently. Their brisk movement and frequent strikes are attributed to this change.