Infamous gangster Bettanagere Seena alias Srinivas, wanted in 25 serious cases and accused in the recent murder of Bangalore Rural Zilla Panchayat JD(S) member B M L Krishnappa, was killed in a police encounter early Friday.

The police, who were on the lookout for Seena, 37, said they received a tip-off on him staying in Syndicate Bank Colony of Herohalli near Magadi Road.

Amar Kumar Pandey, Inspector General of Police (IGP), visited the enounter spot and later the hospital where Seena’s body was taken. He said police had information about Seena and three associates visiting the area to recover money.

Police confirmed this by tracking their mobile phones and an undercover team was deputed to the area on Thursday evening.

At around 5.30 am on Friday, a team of 40 policemen closed in on the house where Seena was staying on 4th cross, Vinayakanagar at Manche­nahalli. Seena and his associates tried to escape and ran through the adjoining streets.

When the chase began, Seena retaliated with two rounds of fire from his pistol, while his associates threw bricks at the chasing cops. Then the police opened six rounds of fire.

Five bullets hit Seena’s body injuring him badly (two on the chest, two in his stomach and one on his face, said cops). His associates were also injured. Police immediately rushed Seena to a government hospital in Tavarekere. He was pronounced dead on arrival, said officials.

Nandagudi Circle Inspector Subramani, Nelamangala sub inspector Prakash and other two sub inspectors were injured during the encounter.

“They are taking treatment at local hospitals and are out of danger,” said IGP Pandey.
He added that the three associates of Seena, who were also injured, were being treated in a hospital, whose location can’t be disclosed as they are under police monitoring.

Area residents said the house where Seena was staying belonged to a Hanumanthappa, a resident of Kamakshipalya and he had gifted it to his son-in-law, Manjunath.

Police said Seena had come to the house to recover money from Satish, who was living there. The one-floored building has three more houses and the house where Seena stayed is the smallest.

Seena’s post mortem was conducted in Rajarajeshwari Medical College and Hospital on Mysore Road.

The encounter was led by Bangalore Rural Additional SP Nagaraj, CPI Surbamanya, Sarjapura PSI Prakash, Doddaballapura PSI Sundar along with a police informer.

Senior police officials said four teams were formed to nab Seena, after the murder of B M L Krishnappa in July.