Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (SP)

Mysuru, Feb 27: A court here has held eight persons guilty of their involvement with a double murder which occurred in the district a few years ago. The murders had been committed in a farmhouse at Bilikere in Hunsur taluk in the district. All the eight accused have been handed life terms.

In addition, the presiding officer of the court, Vijay Kumar Shetty, also passed an order to register cases against five persons who tried to mislead the court through false evidences. These five, identified as Devendra, Sunil, Srinivas, Ashok, and another, who are said to accomplices of Mahadesh, had deliberately given false statements to mislead the court.

C Mahadesh, a JDS corporator representing 32nd ward, his brother, Manjunath, Palahalli Satish, Chandu, Ravi, Shivakumar, Ambarish and Kartik had killed Ramu and Rajeev on May 14, 2008, in a farmhouse belonging to Muddappa. Among the convicted persons, Ambarish happens to be the nephew of Mahadesh. One of the accused, Shiva Nishchit, was absolved of charges for want of conclusive evidence. It is said that the victims had been identified with a rival gang. The second additional district and sessions court passed this order.

The judge also imposed fine of Rs 3 lac on Mahadesh and Rs 1 lac on other convicts. Out of this amount, families of Rajesh and Ramu will get Rs 3 lac each while the remaining amount would be deposited into the treasury, the judgment prescribed.

A dispute had arisen between Mahadesh and a gang over a site in Vijayanagara extension in the city. Mahadesh came to know that Paduvarahalli Rajesh alias Gandhi belonging to opposite camp was trying to instigate a gang to attack the former. Mahadesh and gang were waiting for an opportunity to make the first move, when they came to know that Paduarahalli Rajesh and his friends, Ramu and Sunil, were hiding at a spot in the outskirts of Hunsur to escape from the ire of Mahadesh. The gang led by Mahadesh, who came to know about the hideout, attacked the farm house near Hunsur, broke open its doors, and hacked Ramu and Rajesh with sickles. Police had arrested Mahadesh and gang, who later secured bail from the court.

Forensic evidence formed the basis for arriving at the verdict. Blood samples and hair of Chandu found on the sickle were subjected to DNA tests, which proved that they belonged to the victims.

In spite of a case pending against him, Mahadesh had succeeded in winning from 32nd ward for the second time from JDS ticket to the city corporation. He also was made chairman of a standing committee of the city corporation. After the verdict was delivered, some of his fans were found to be shedding tears while some others raised slogans hailing him.