Daijiworld Media Network - Vijayapura (SP)

Vijayapura, Oct 31: Notorious rowdy, Dharmaraj, fell to the bullets fired by police officials of Chadachana station in the district on Monday October 30.

Te police had reached Konkangaon village in Indi taluk after getting information that the rowdy and his close ones had illegal firearms. Dharmaraj began to fire at the police, and the police returned fire. Dharmaraj was injured due to eight bullets which hit him in the incident. He breathed his last at a hospital later in the day.

Dharmaraj faced many cases including those of murder, murder attempt, illegal sand business, collection of protection money, stocking of illegal arms and sale etc. He had secured bail from the court seven months back.

In the exchange of fire, Chadachana police sub-inspector, Gopal Hallur, and Shivanand Biradar. an associate of Dharmaraj, were inured. The sub-inspector, whose right hand was severely wounded, underwent an emergency operation on the suggestion of the doctors.

A team of eight police personnel conducted detailed search of a house and found five country made pistols, two long range weapons, and a service revolver. The police department is now undertaking investigation about whom these items were being supplied from here.

Dharmaraj's mother claimed that it was a pre-planned murder backed by her son's enemies. She has accused the police of joining hands with the adversaries of Dharmaraj.

After the incident, Konkangaon on the state's border with Maharashtra is tense and there is apprehension in the air in surrounding villages. Many small time rowdies have left their homes. District superintendent of police, Kuldeep Jain, and additional superintendent of police, Shivakumar Gunari, are camping in the village.