A notorious rowdy was hacked to death in broad daylight on the Kolar highway on Saturday morning, allegedly by members of a rival gang.
The victim, Mohan (alias Bodaguru Mohan), 35, was travelling to Shidlaghatta from his wife’s house in Yeshwantpur, when he was attacked within the Sulibele police limits on the outskirts of the City. The murder, committed in front of several people, reminded the recent killing of political leader, Binnamangala Krishnappa, near Nelamangala.
According to the police, assailants followed Mohan’s SUV (Ford Endeavour) in a lorry. When they neared Theniyuru village at 10.30 am, they rammed Mohan’s SUV from behind, turning the smaller vehicle over.
Mohan was at the wheels and the gang allegedly attacked him while he was still disoriented. When several villagers gathered, the gang threatened them before fleeing in the same lorry. Police later found the lorry abandoned two kilometres from the spot.
Villagers told police that the assailants were men in their mid-twenties and spoke Hindi.
Released on bail
Mohan, who was involved in several land disputes, is said to be responsible for the murder of two rowdy brothers, Manjunath and Narasimha Murthy, two years ago, on August 21, 2010.
The duo were travelling to a court in a van when they were stopped and killed. The crime had also taken place on a Saturday.
Although Mohan had been arrested in connection with the crime, he had been released from prison after being given bail, a police officer said.
Police also revealed that Mohan harboured ambitions of becoming a politician. A follower of notorious rowdy Sunil (alias Silent Sunil), Mohan had reportedly come into possession of a large sum of money. Police said that he had been trying to contest the Assembly election from Shidlaghatta.
Bangalore Rural SP, D Prakash, told Deccan Herald that Mohan may have been killed because of his real estate dealings. “We have formed a special team to investigate the case,” he said.