Police open fire at rowdies

Both the rowdies, Vinay alias Kurup Vinay and Murthy alias Dhaba Murthy were shot in their thighs and are being treated at M S Ramaiah Hospital.

Vinay, a rowdy-sheeter at Byatrayanapura police station,  was a follower of rowdies Mulamma and Hebbetu Manja, and shot to fame a few years ago after murdering Asgar, a politician from Chamarajnagar. A few days ago, he had opened fire at Dharwad police during a robbery.

Dhaba Murthy was a close associate of Cycle Ravi, who is currently in jail.

Vinay is wanted in nine cases of robbery, dacoity, attempt-to-murder and murder, while Murthy has two cases against him.

Based on a tip-off, the police tracked down the duo, arrested them and seized an imported revolver made by Cogswell and Harrison, the oldest gunmaking company in London.

The chase

The police teams in two jeeps led by Assistant Commissioner S Y Hadimuni spotted Vinay and Murthy on a two-wheeler riding through a secluded stretch next to the Government High School.

When the police tried to overtake them, Vinay took out the revolver and aimed at the jeep in which ACP Hadimuni was travelling.

Fortunately, the bullet only scrapped past the windshield. Immediately, inspector Sarki, who was with the ACP, opened fire at Vinay and shot him in his thigh.

Meanwhile, Murthy took out a metal road and attacked the occupants of the other jeep. But inspector Sreenivas was quick to react and took a shot at Murthy.

The two were shifted to the hospital immediately and are out of danger.