Betthanagere Seena, who was killed in an encounter on Friday was the most-wanted criminal after Bangalore Rural Zilla Panchayat’s JD (S) Krishnappa’s murder. He had managed to stay underground from July. The police teams, sent to different states to trace him, had allegedly failed to trace him though he was living only 30 kilometres away from the city.
“After Krishnappa’s murder, Seena was facing financial problems as he could not collect hafta or carry on his real estate business. He was in need of money. He had asked one of his friends to help him and the friend was arranging money for him. In the process, information about his hideout was leaked and it reached us. This helped us in tracing Seena against whom a lookout notice was issued,” a police official said.
Speaking to Express, a neighbour, on condition of anonymity, said, “It was difficult to notice them (Seena and his gang) in the day time. I used to hear noises as they were partying every night. I did not even think that they are criminals. I was shocked to learn that it was dreaded criminal Seena who was staying right next to my house. He was living here for a month.”
One T Ashok, who stays near the spot where Seena was shot dead, said, “I woke up to the firing sound and came out to check what had happened. There were many policemen and I was told Seena was killed in an encounter. I heard three shots.”
House owner held
Immediately after the encounter, the police arrested Hanumanthappa, the owner of the house in which Seena and associates were staying.
“Seena’s friend Satish was known to the house owner and he had managed to get the house for rent for Seena. However, Hanumanthappa has been arrested for giving shelter to criminals,” the police said.
The driver, who gave full information about his movements, had advised him to stay at that house. After the encounter, it is said that Bande Manja, Harsha and Jakkanahalli Manja, his associates, have surrended.
According to police officials, Betthanagere Seena had 12 cases against him, including five murder cases, two dacoity and one attempt to murder and stocking of illegal weapons cases.