A notorious rowdy was hacked to death over an old rivalry in front of a temple on the outskirts of the City, off Tumakuru Road, early on Monday morning.
The Madanayakanahalli police identified the victim as Manjunath alias Bhavani, a resident of Kadabagere. He was involved in about 18 heinous crimes, including double murder, armed robbery and abduction and was enlisted as a rowdy-sheeter in the Magadi Road, Tavarekere and Madanayakanahalli police stations. He was wanted in a few cases, said the police.
According to the police, Manjunath, as is his wont, partied with his associates past midnight on Sunday. He set out on a bike towards his house as his associates left the hotel. He was accosted by a gang near Mutturayaswamy temple. The assailants attacked him, pushed him down and bludgeoned him. Manjunath died on the spot from severe head injuries. His legs and hands were chopped off, said the police.
A few months ago, the police had detained him under the Goonda Act and sent him to the Central Prisons, Parappana Agrahara. He walked out of the jail recently. The rival gang, who knew about his release, plotted his murder and executed it, said the police.
Manjunath was one of the prime suspects in the sensational murder of A T Babu about five years ago. Babu, who had fought against the liquor lobby, was brutally murdered in Ramanagar district. The police have constituted a team to nab the killers of Manjunath.
