Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 1: New Year celebration at a room in Kuthar junction here ended in a murder late night on Saturday December 31.

Rudravani Santhosh (25), hailing from Davangere, was allegedly murdered by his friend Pradeep of Shikaripur during a New Year party.

Santhosh

Pradeep

It is learnt that Santhosh and Pradeep work at a saloon, owned by Ramesh, in Kuthar. The two became good friends, and on the night of December 31, after finishing work, they decided to celebrate New Year in a rented room located above the saloon. They also brought bottles of liquor.

Sources said that during the party, Santhosh objected to Pradeep talking to a woman. A heated exchage of words ensued between the friends, both of whom were drunk. Santhosh is said to have screamed at Pradeep's mother. Pradeep, in a fit of anger grabbed a knife from the kitchen and allegedly stabbed Santhosh on the chest.

Hearing Santhosh's screams, saloon owner Ramesh and neighbour Roshan rushed to the spot and took Santhosh to a hospital in Deralakatte, but he died on the way. Pradeep too helped in bringing Sathosh to the hospital.

Thereafter, Pradeep surrendered himself at the Ullal police station.

Santhosh's younger sister is scheduled to get married on February 15, and Santhosh himself was supposed to tie the knot in March.