JOIN USA murder suspect, who had been released from prison two days ago, allegedly stabbed and killed an autorickshaw driver in Ashoknagar, early Sunday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Hafeez, 36, a resident of Bannerghatta Road. He was married and had two children. Ashoknagar police, who took the attacker into custody, identified him as Anand, 28, a resident of Shanthinagar.
According to police, Anand, an unemployed man had allegedly murdered his father, Govindappa, two years ago in Ashoknagar after being refused Rs 5,000. For this, he had been arrested and sent to the Central Prisons at Parappana Agrahara.
Police said a land dispute led to the present murder.
The family of the accused had once owned land at Ashoknagar. This was subsequently sold to another party years ago. When the new owners appointed Hafeez as their property care-taker, Anand believed that he would be able to grab the property by eliminating Hafeez.
According to police, Anand had quarrelled with Hafeez on several occasions over the property, even before the murder of his father. He even told Hafeez not to oversee the land as it belonged to his ancestors.
However, Hafeez said he had been directed by the new owners to oversee the land and would continue to do so.
Police said that Anand was returning home when he met Hafeez at Akkithimmenalli around 6:30 am.
When a quarrel ensued, Anand took out a dagger and stabbed Hafeez multiple times. When people gathered at the spot, Anand fled. Local residents immediately alerted the police.
Hafeez was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive.
Hafeez had moved from Gorguntepalya to Bannerghatta Road several years ago. He did not have a criminal background. Following a manhunt, Anand was taken into custody several hours later.