Businessman hacked to death by gang

 

Mangaluru, 06 Jan 2015: A businessman was brutally hacked to death by a gang of four at Soorinje in the limits of Surathkal Police station on Tuesday.

 

The deceased is Keshava Shetty, 40, a BJP worker. Personal enmity is said to be the reason for the pre-meditated murder. The attackers who knew his morning schedule were waiting for him to arrive at a playground to play badminton and attacked him with lethal weapons. The victim died on the spot.

 

According to a complaint lodged Sampath V, a friend of the victim who was an eye witness, no sooner did Keshava arrived at the playground at Janthabettu at 6.30am, the attackers, who were hiding behind a bush, pounced on him. Sensing that the attackers were out to murder him, Keshava ran to save his life but before he could cover 10-15 metres, the attackers caught up with him.

 

The attackers warned Sampath of dire consequences when he tried to prevent the attack on his friend. He has identified the attackers as locals Latesh, Satish alias Sacchu and two others.

 

Of the accused, Satish is allegedly involved in the murder of Manikantan near Chelyaru and murder attempt on businessman Vijayendra Bhat at Ballal Bagh. Keshava had complained to the police recently that Satish had threatened him for hafta and he was arrested and later released on bail. Commissioner Murugan, DCP (crime) Vishnuvardhan and ACP Ravikumar visited the spot.

 

Keshava, who got married in April last was running a garage in Hosabettu.

 

On receiving his body after post-mortem, BJP members protested with the body by the road at Soorinje. BJP member Umanath Kotian alleged that the crime was conducted by youths who were into drugs and blamed police for inaction against drug mafia in the area. The protest was withdrawn after police promised to form teams to nab the accused and curb drug menace.