Two murders solved with arrest of four from a gang

They allegedly looted lonely passengers on NICE Road

According to police, Somashekar, Jayant, Nanjunda, Raghu and Balraj, apart from attacking lonely travellers on NICE Road, also looted factories, shops and offices in the vicinity. Weapons used in committing the crimes were also seized.

Police said that during interrogation they discovered that Somashekar and Balaraj had also allegedly murdered two persons; a security guard and a woman. The two men were also jailed twice before for robbery. Interrogated on the murder of a security guard in Kumaraswamy Layout, Somashekar admitted that he along with his accomplice had slit the throat of the guard and killed him, the police said.   Similarly, in February, a woman was found battered to death at Jaraganahalli Lorry Stand, close to a water body on NICE Road vicinity.

According to police, the murder of Salma was similar to that of the security guard. Investigation revealed that Salma was girl friend of Somashekar and had threatened Somashekar to marry her, failing which she would file a complaint with police and inform her community leaders.

Somashekhar sought help of his friend Balraj. But Balraj had his own plans, of marrying Salma. Balraj and Somashekar along Salma were travelling in an auto, when an argument flared up, and in rage Somashekar slit Salma’s throat.  Even as the woman jumped out of the auto, Somashekhar pounced on her and smashed her head with boulders.

Later, the two friends lifted the body and threw it from the NICE Road Bridge to make it appear to be an accident. Investigating the complaint of Salma’s disappearance and checking on the similarities between the murders, led police to make the arrests.

Teen re-arrested

One of the accused for vehicles theft who escaped from Jalahalli police station about two weeks ago was arrested in Tamil Nadu on Monday. Anil Kumar and Manoj Kumar, both in their teens, were arrested for stealing six two-wheelers worth Rs 3.5 lakh.  

Anil Kumar escaped from the police custody. However, acting on a tip-off, police arrested Anil Kumar in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Five of the vehicles were stolen in Yestwanthpur and one in Hebbal.