Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Jun 20: A gang of six followed a man going home by an auto rickshaw in two vehicles, before attacking and killing him with lethal weapons. The incident occurred on the night of Thursday June 17 at Betoli Gundikere near Virajpet in the district.

The deceased has been identified as Chottemanda Belliaappa (34). He was going home in an auto rickshaw from Virajpet to his home at Gundikere village, when the accused who chased him in two Maruti vans, forced the rickshaw to stop by nudging their vehicle against the three-wheeler from behind. Then the other van blocked the path of the rickshaw, before the men ventured out and killed Belliappa with weapons. The incident occurred just about a kilometre away from his home.

Belliappa, who had collapsed with deep gashes behind his head, was rushed to Vikram Hospital in  Mysore but he breathed his last within a few minutes after getting admitted there.  Reportedly, a -pre-existing enmity was the cause of the murder, and Harish, T K Harish, Malayali Vishnu, Maleyali Dinesh Ali alias Pattu, Valsan from Boodimale and Dayanand alias Chimmanna, who were close to Belliappa in the past, are the suspects.  The policemen have arrested three persons, Maleyali Vishnu, Dinesh and Dayanand and confiscated a van from them.

Investigation is being headed by station-house officer of Virajpet police station Harishchandra.