11 arrested for murder of Krishnappa

Bangalore Rural Police have arrested a gang of 11 men, led by Muniraju (alias Machu Muniya) of Andrahalli, Peenya, in connection with the murder of B M L Krishnappa.

The Opposition leader in the Bangalore Rural Zilla Panchayat and JD(S) strongman was hacked to death by more than 30 unidentified assailants at Dasanapura on July 25. 

Prakash , Superintendent of Police of Bangalore Rural, told reporters that one of the teams working on the case had achieved a breakthrough after several gang members were identified. The gang was recently arrested from their hide-out in Andrahalli in a joint operation by the Bangalore Rural Police and the CCB. 

Confidant

According to police, Muniraju, who is from Bettanagere, was a close confidant of both Bettanagere Seena and Shankara. He had been a prominent member of their gang. But when the duo separated, Muniraju shunned rowdyism and moved to Andrahalli. Since then he had been employed as a painter. 

Sources said a month ago, Muniraju’s past caught up with him when Bettanagere Seena asked him for help in eliminating Krishnappa. On Seena’s request, Muniraju formed a 10-member gang. 

Each member was promised Rs 50,000 and protection from police investigation. If anyone happened to be sent to prison, his family was promised a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000. 

Ambush

The gang set up an ambush at the Dasanapura left turn from NH4, near Arishinakunte. One gang mamber, Deva, alias Lakshminarayana, from Kempalinganahalli, was stationed with a lorry and several gang members at the turning . 

When Krishnappa’s car arrived, Deva blocked the road with the lorry but was killed in an exchange of fire with Krishnappa’s bodyguard, Vijay Kumar. 

After killing Krishnappa, Muniraju and the other members of the gang fled in a Tempo and another lorry, which they had used to follow Krishnappa from Bangalore.

Suspects

Bettanagere Seena and several of his key aides — Bande Manja, Venkatesh and Harsha — have been identified as the main suspects and a massive manhunt has been launched to find them.

Prakash denied rumours that Manja and Venkatesh had been arrested. He also denied reports that Harsha, son of Yadaal Devi, who had led an attack on Krishnappa in 2009 had surrendered to Tumkur Police.