6 held for murder of corporator
The City police have reportedly arrested six persons in connection with the murder of Congress Corporator S Nataraj. However, the police refused to confirm the arrests.
Four of the six arrested include Rajendra, Mahesh, Seena and Vijayakumar. It is learnt that Rajendra who was earlier working with the slain corporator is the mastermind of the crime, which is said to have been committed to check Nataraj’s increasing political clout and to settle the financial dispute he (Nataraj) had with one of the suspects. A woman also reportedly played a part in the gruesome murder, sources said.
Rajendra purportedly told the police that he decided to murder Nataraj as he could no longer remain a mute spectator to the slain corporator’s popularity. Rajendra has no political standing. Hence, it’s hard for police to believe that he killed Nataraj only for “political reasons”.
Police suspect Rajendra might have been contracted by Mahesh to kill Nataraj. Mahesh had a financial dispute with Nataraj and hence roped in Rajendra to eliminate Nataraj, sources add. Mahesh allegedly had quarrelled with Nataraj a month ago over a petty issue.
The duo had also involved Vijayakumar who knew the victim and whose white Maruthi 800 car was used to chase the corporator and stab him to death. As for the woman’s role, police hope to arrest her soon. The role of a former corporator is also under the scanner.
The mobile phone found in Vijayakumar’s car has given crucial clues to the police, sources point out. It is learnt that several calls were made from the phone a while before the murder.
Omkaraiah, ACP, Malleshwaram Sub-Division, however, refused to divulge any details, saying “we cannot say anything at this moment”. The senior officer also refuted reports of the arrest of six persons.
