KCOCA invoked in Lakshmana murder

Hemanth

Cat Raja

Central Crime Branch invoked Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) against the 14 accused in gangster Lakshmana's murder on March 7.

KCOCA was invoked against 21-year-old Varshini, her lover Rupesh R, and 12 others. The pair gave 'supari' to rowdies including Cat Raja, Hemanth Kumar, Akash and others.

Varshini is the daughter of Harish Sanjeevappa, a neighbour of deceased Lakshmana.

Lakshmana and Varshini were in love. But things changed when she met Rupesh. Both fell in love.

As years passed, Lakshmana advised Harish to send Varshini to London for studies. In 2018, she went to London to pursue MSc Psychology.

Varshini didn't like her separation from Rupesh and was convinced that Lakshmana won't let them get married. Varshini transferred more than Rs 1 lakh to Rupesh to hire the killers.

On March 7, Varshini told Lakshmana that she would come to the city and asked him to book a hotel. Lakshmana's whereabouts were given to Rupesh, who passed it on to the killers.

Based on call details, CCB cracked the case and arrested the accused. CCB sought the court's permission to invoke KCOCA.