Murder kingpin wanted to clear way for mom to become TMC chief

Victim had approached court over reservation for post

Sarojamma, the 45-year-old Town Municipal Council (TMC) president belonging to the Congress, was among the five arrested by the Hebbagodi police over the murder of Srinivas Prasad alias Vasu, the 38-year-old BJP functionary in Anekal.

Sarojamma’s son Manjunath, the prime suspect, wanted to clear the way for her as Prasad had reportedly challenged the reservation for the post — for SC (woman) — in court.

Prasad was hacked to death in the early hours of Tuesday. His skull was cleaved at the back and an axe lodged in his chest.

The five special teams that were formed picked up the suspects within hours of the crime based on evidence gathered at the spot.

The four other arrested are Madhu (23) alias Spike, Narayanaswamy (35), Murali (20) alias Appu and C Manjunath (29) alias Karpuru Manjunath, all friends of Manjunath, the prime suspect. He is still at large.

According to police, Manjunath owns a gym in Kittaganahalli and the suspects were offered money to execute the murder.

Two versions
There are two versions over Prasad’s murder. One — Madhu called Prasad on his phone in the wee hours of Tuesday and told him that one of his relatives had met with an accident on Hosur Road and he wanted Prasad to come along for help. Prasad arrived in his car and when his vehicle reached BTL College on Hosur Road, a group of men stopped the car, dragged Prasad out, hacked him to death and fled.

Two — the gang had studied the movements of Prasad who came for morning walk to a park near the college. On Tuesday, they waited for him at the park and hacked him to death.

Investigations revealed that Manjunath wanted his mother to be elected president of the Bommasandra TMC soon after the government reserved the seat for SC (woman) category. The opposition in the council, led by Prasad, challenged it in court.

Manjunath also filed two petitions in the High Court. The motive looks like Manjunath wanted to clear the way for her, police said.

However, Amit Singh, Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru Rural, said the exact motive was yet to be ascertained.