<p>A prime suspect in the murder of BJP leader Balachandra Kalagi was shot dead from point-blank range by assailants at Shantinagar in Sullia police station limits of Mangaluru on Thursday. </p>.<p>The accused, Sampath, was declared dead on arrival by doctors at Sullia government hospital. </p>.<p><strong>Also read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/mangaluru/bjp-leader-kalagi-s-death-is-a-murder-sp-725906.html" target="_blank">BJP leader Kalagi’s death is a murder: SP</a></strong></p>.<p>A year ago, Madikeri police had arrested Sampath for allegedly murdering BJP leader Balachandra Kalagi and making it look like death by accident.</p>.<p>Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police B M Laxmi Prasad told <em>DH </em>that Sampath was shot when he stepped out from his house in Shantinagar at 6 am. After firing a couple of shots, the assailants sped away in a getaway vehicle.</p>.<p>The assailants also attacked Sampath with a machete. Sources said Sampath died after being hit on the skull.</p>.<p>"Based on our initial investigation, the assailants were known to Sampath," SP said.</p>.<p>The first shootout in Sullia has triggered apprehensions among the residents.</p>
<p>A prime suspect in the murder of BJP leader Balachandra Kalagi was shot dead from point-blank range by assailants at Shantinagar in Sullia police station limits of Mangaluru on Thursday. </p>.<p>The accused, Sampath, was declared dead on arrival by doctors at Sullia government hospital. </p>.<p><strong>Also read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/mangaluru/bjp-leader-kalagi-s-death-is-a-murder-sp-725906.html" target="_blank">BJP leader Kalagi’s death is a murder: SP</a></strong></p>.<p>A year ago, Madikeri police had arrested Sampath for allegedly murdering BJP leader Balachandra Kalagi and making it look like death by accident.</p>.<p>Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police B M Laxmi Prasad told <em>DH </em>that Sampath was shot when he stepped out from his house in Shantinagar at 6 am. After firing a couple of shots, the assailants sped away in a getaway vehicle.</p>.<p>The assailants also attacked Sampath with a machete. Sources said Sampath died after being hit on the skull.</p>.<p>"Based on our initial investigation, the assailants were known to Sampath," SP said.</p>.<p>The first shootout in Sullia has triggered apprehensions among the residents.</p>
