The city police on Monday arrested two people for killing an autorickshaw driver over a trivial issue in Kurubarahalli near Basaveshwaranagar.

The police picked up Ravi and Vinay, who had fled from the city after murdering their friend Gopal on Sunday night, from their hideout in Kolar. 

According to a senior police officer, Ravi and Vinay, in their confessional statement, said the three friends had gone to a bar on Sunday evening and consumed alcohol. As they were winding up, Gopal said he wanted to drink more and asked Ravi and Vinay to place an order for another round of drinks. When the duo told Gopal they don’t have sufficient money, he began abusing them. As the quarrel intensified, Ravi and Vinay left the bar and were sitting inside an autorickshaw near the Cauvery Nagar bus station.

Gopal followed them to the bus station and again started abusing them. In a fit of rage, Ravi and Vinay picked up a knife and stabbed Gopal in his abdomen and other parts of his body. They fled from the spot when they realised people were gathering around them, the officer said. 

The accused said they were angry and under the influence of alcohol, and had no intention to kill Gopal, the police added.  

The Basaveshwaranagar police produced them before the magistrate, who remanded them in judicial custody.