Bengaluru: The police investigating the shootout that left Dasanapura APMC president, Kadabagere Srinivasa injured, strongly suspects the involvement of rowdy Rohit alias Onte Rohit in the incident.
The gangster, who was arrested by the police on Tuesday for the threat calls received by Mr Srinivasa's close aide, Tata Ramesh, is believed to have joined hands with some rowdies in Nelamangala to eliminate the APMC chief.
"We have clues which indicate that those who opened fire at Srinivasa had received supari from someone. As he has many rivals, it was difficult to find out who was responsible. But now we suspect that Rohit had played a key role in the attack. We have some evidence that indicates Rohit plotted to kill Srinivasa with a few accomplices and hired others to carry out the murder. So far the motive is unclear. We are looking into whether someone had approached Rohit to kill Srinivasa," said a police officer.
Threat calls:
The police has arrested two more rowdies, Vijaykumar alias Lakkasandra Viji and Kumar alias Cable K, for the threat calls received by Dasanapura APMC president, Kadabagere Srinivasa's friend, Tata Ramesh based on information provided by the other two suspects, Onte Rohit and Silent Sunila.
"The two rowdies were traced based on the information given by Rohit and Sunila. Acting on a tip-off that they were heading towards Vidyaranyapura, we intercepted and arrested them in the early hours of Thursday. The car they were travelling in was seized. They were carrying lethal weapons," said the police.
4 men nabbed
The police has reportedly picked up four men for the attempt on the life of Dasanapura APMC president, Kadabagere Srinivasa. The suspects are said to hail from Machohalli near Mr Srinivasa's village of Kadabagere. But the police has not confirmed the arrests or their involvement in the crime.
I am innocent, prepared for narco: Viswanath
Accusing the media of trying to falsely implicate him in the attempt on the life of Dasanapura APMC president, Kadabagere Shrinivasa, Yelahanka BJP MLA, S R Vishwanath asserted here on Thursday that he was ready for any kind of police inquiry, including a narco analysis test.
Speaking to reporters in the Assembly lounge here, he denied any involvement in the case. "I have already informed senior police officers that I will co-operate with their investigation. As I am not involved in the case, why should I be afraid of an inquiry? My opponents are trying to make me a scapegoat in all this," he said.
While admitting that the men arrested for the threat calls received by an assiciate of the APMC chief, Rohit alias Onte and Sunil alias Silent Sunil were his friends, he claimed his life too was under threat as the police had withdrawn the gunman provided to him for his security.
Meanwhile, the police suspect political and property disputes may have led to the attempt on Mr Shrinivasa's life. According to police sources, the APMC chief was with the BJP for 12 years and was an active party worker in the Yelahanka Assembly constituency before joining the Congress. "Shrinivasa and his brother, Poison Rama, are known as the Kadabagere brothers and have a strong hold over the real estate business in Yelahanka and its outskirts," said a police officer, claiming that Mr Shrinivasa had worked closely with the Yelahanka MLA for the victory of party candidates in the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections in 2010.
But after he joined the Congress, the MLA and he reportedly became rivals with Mr Shrinivasa giving a tough fight to BJP candidates in local elections.
