Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jun 26: A realtor from Bikarnakatte in the city was gunned down near Nerle village of Nanjangud, Mysore district recently. The policemen have taken into custody Kantaraju (31), a police constable attached to Vijayanagar police station in Mysore, who has been accused of committing this crime.

The real estate businessman named Gunasagar Hegde reportedly booked a room at Hotel Lucia International in Mysore on June 21.  He went out thereafter. As he did not come back even after two days, the hotel management filed a complaint in Devaraja police station in the city.

The body of Hegde was found near Nerle village on June 22. After firing bullets to his head, an effort had been found to have been made to burn his face and legs to hide his identity.  The policemen suspected the body to be that of Hegde and informed the family members, who came to Mysore and identified the body.

Kantaraju got acquainted with Hegde during a night beat several years ago and had turned his friend thereafter. It is said, he invited Hegde to Nanjangud on the pretext of booking a large tract of land for a Mutt there. It is thought that he committed Hegde’s murder to get access to the large amount of money Hegde carried with him at the time. It is learnt, the revolver used by the policemen for the murder belonged to Venkatesh, former inspector of Vijayanagar police station. It is as yet uncertain as to how he got hold of the service revolver.