Working at the behest of their gangster brother-in-law, two men allegedly hacked a lemon seller to death in KR Market, police said. 

Sharavana, a fruit vendor, and his brother Venkatesh slayed Bharath in his shop in KR Market around 8.30 pm on Tuesday. Police are now hunting for them. 

Bharath, from Janatha Colony, Old Guddadahalli, had been selling lemons for the past eight years. One of his aunts wanted to open a flower shop at the eastern gate of KR Market but Velu alias Market Velu, a rowdy-sheeter and the brother-in-law of Sharavana and Venkatesh, took objection. Ironically, Sharavana had supported Bharath and his aunt. 

But Velu managed to win Sharavana over and made him dislike Bharath. The erstwhile friends became hostile. Bharath assaulted Sharavana near Goripalya in April. The latter went to the police and got Bharath arrested. 

When Bharath came out on bail three days ago, Sharavana vowed revenge. He took his brother Venkatesh along and hacked Bharath to death. Police are verifying Velu’s role in the murder, an officer said.