Daijiworld News Network - Udupi (GA)

Udupi, Apr 21: Shridhar Nair (45) , allegedly a  former rowdy and member of the once infamous Golden Gang here, was found hanging from a tree in the Bhujang Park here on Friday April 21 morning.

Though it is widely believed that he has committed suicide, there are also wide-spread rumours that it is a well-planned murder.  A suicide note was found in his pocket in which he has attributed his suicide to his terminal illness. He is said to have been suffering from cancer for long time now.  A medical receipt dated April 10 too has been found in his pocket which indicates that he had bought medicine for cancer in the last week.

However, the manner in which he was found hanging has given rise to suspicion. Shridhar was a tall man and in the hanging position his feet firmly stayed on the ground.  It was looking as if he was standing under the tree.  Moreover, he was wearing a formal dress with a navy blue shirt tucked well inside the black trousers and he also had branded leather shoes on.

The family members said that he had left the house on Thursday April 20 evening but he had not returned home overnight.  He was spotted hanging from the short tree on Friday morning by some passersby while on a morning walk.

The Udupi town police have registered a case in this regard and are investigating.

Shridhar was one of the most feared rowdies in the eighties. Initially he had identified himself with the then notorious Kukkikatte Sanjeeva's group.  However, in 1987 he had hacked his boss Sanjeeva himself to death at Beedinagudde.  In between he was almost-fatally injured in an attack by another notorious gang.

He was convicted in Sanjeeva murder and was behind bars for long.  However, after coming out from the prison, he had distanced himself from criminal activities and was living sober life in his house at Kidiyoor.