Provision store owner hacked to death at home in Karnataka's Anekal; accused absconding

Bengaluru: A 40-year-old provision store owner was hacked to death by unidentified assailants inside his house in broad daylight at Kittaganahalli in Anekal taluk on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Madesh, a native of Denkanikottai in Tamil Nadu.

A senior police officer said Madesh was alone at home when the assailants barged in armed with a knife and an air gun and slit his throat before fleeing.

A neighbour who saw a man escaping on a bike tried to stop him, but the accused attacked him and fled. Locals called the police helpline 112 to report the incident.

Hebbagodi police rushed to the spot and conducted a mahazar, recovering an the air gun, knife, a metal detector, torch, helmet, and a bag. Fingerprint experts and a dog squad were pressed into service. Around Rs 2 lakh in cash found at the house remained untouched, the officer said.

Police said Madesh had been living in Kittaganahalli for 15 years, running a cigarette distribution business and a provision store. He was building a new house with proceeds from selling ancestral property in his village.

Recently, he had developed gangrene in his leg and was confined to home. Police suspect the killer was known to him.

A special team has been formed to track down the accused, and financial or property dispute is suspected to be the motive.