BENGALURU: A rowdy's wish to throw a liquor party for his associates soon after his release from jail and their loyalty to him claimed the life of a 24-year-old innocent man, whose only 'mistake' was not reversing his car when asked by the gang.
The Basaveshwaranagar police, who cracked the case within 36 hours of the murder, are distressed by the trivial reason behind the murder, that too in the presence of the mother of the deceased youth. The incident took place on Basavanna Temple Road in Kamalanagar on Sunday evening around 7.30. The deceased, Madan Kumar, lived near Basavanna Temple Road and worked in a private company.
The preliminary probe had revealed that a minor scuffle on the road had led to the murder. When the police started the investigation, they learnt that one of their informers was at the spot and had seen rowdy Sridhar alias Kariya. The police rounded up Kariya's associates and finally arrested Chethan alias Bottlu, 23, of Kempegowdanagar near Byadarahalli, and Shivakumar alias Shivu, 21, of Kaveripura in Kamakshipalya.
"During the interrogation, they said that Kariya, who was released from jail a month ago, wanted to throw a party for his associates, and it was arranged at Kamakshipalya ground on Sunday evening. A few associates had gathered and had consumed alcohol. Later, they decided to go to Kempegowda Nagar and on the way the murder took place," the police said.
An official said, "Kariya and Shivakumar were riding a Pulsar bike, while Chethan was on a Dio. On Basavanna Temple Road, Madan was parking his Santro car near his house. As the road is narrow, and the car had obstructed the movement of two-wheelers, Kariya asked Madan to reverse the car. When Madan told him that there was enough space to move and the bike riders could easily pass, the accused lost their cool. Shivakumar got down and rained blows on Madan's face, while Madan started abusing Kariya and Shivakumar. His mother, Shivamma, who was in the car, was desperately trying to calm them down. Chethan got furious that Madan was abusing his mentor Kariya and stabbed Madan in the chest with a dagger. Immediately after, all the three escaped. Madan was rushed to a hospital, where he died as his heart was slightly damaged by the stabbing."
Shivakumar is a second PU commerce student and runs a scrap shop at Pattegarapalya, while Chethan is a plumber. The police are on the lookout for Kariya, who is absconding.
