DHNS
Bangalore, Nov 6: In true filmy style, an eight-member gang armed with lethal weapons chased and hacked one person to death and grievously wounded another on Wednesday.
The drama unfolded at around 3:40 pm in front of the Kendriya Vihar apartments at Kogilu near Yelahanka. The dead man has been identified as Jaga (27) and the injured as Raju (23). Jaga’s name figures in the Kodigehalli police station rowdy list while Raju, a habitual offender, is a resident of Yelahanka.
Both were associates of a local thug Bullet Raja and a fortnight back, Jaga was involved in an attempt-to murder case and had subsequently come out on bail.
Police believe that Amruthalli Suri and his associate Appu of Sanjeevnagar might be behind the attack. A few days back, Jaga had attempted to kill Suri and declared in public that he would kill him. Wednesday’s clash is believed to be over a land deal.
Jaga and Raju were going in a car (KA-03-ME-1710) towards Hebbal. They were sitting at the back while the driver, Suresh, the main eye-witness, was at the steering. A motorcyclist wearing a helmet with the visor on tailed the car and alerted his associates. Within minutes, a red Scorpio zoomed on the scene, rammed the victims’ car from the right and blocked the way. Even as the car screeched to a halt, the rival gang members smashed its windowpanes.
Cornered, Jaga and Raju scampered out of the car and took to their heels. The gang wielding daggers, swords and sickles chased the two. Four of them pounced on Jaga while some others went after Raju. Jaga ran out of steam and was caught while trying to jump over a service road barricade. The gang slashed him on his chest, stomach and face. He died on the spot.
Raju too was soon caught and attacked. The gangsters fled the scene and a profusely bleeding Raju was shifted to a hospital with the help of Kendriya Vihar watchmen and passersby. Jaga’s body was found lying in front of the housing complex gate (Krishnaji Avenue). Dozens of deadly weapons, smeared with blood, and a helmet were recovered from the crime scene.