BENGALURU: Kamakshipalya police arrested a gang of nine including a former corporator, his wife and their associates on the charges of killing 42-year-old BJP worker Chikkathimmegowda here on Thursday. The incident took place on November 8. Police said that the motive behind the murder was political rivalry.
The arrested are former JD(S) corporator of Hegganahalli ward, Govindegowda (58), his wife Varamahalakshmi (47). The couple are residents of Lakshmana Nagar in Sunkadakatte. Their associates are Manikanta alias Kacchins (24), Harish B (24), Manikanta alias Yogesh (25), of Sunkadakatte, Suresh alias RX Suri (24), of M C Layout in Vijayanagar, Mathew alias Ajay (19), of Chandra Layout, Sanaullah, (18), of Kachohalli on Magadi Road and Yuvaraj alias Yuva(27) of Mallatthalli.
A senior police officer said that Chikkathimmegowda was hacked to death on November 8 when he was returning home on his bike along with his friend Naganna. The prime accused Govindegowda, was reportedly upset over Chikkathimmegowda leaving the party without giving a reason and joining the BJP during the last BBMP elections. It resulted in Varamahalakshmi’s defeat who had contested for BBMP elections. The couple had allegedly given Rs 30 lakh supari contract to the gang for the murder.
The accused had taken Rs 5 lakh as advance and later collected Rs 10 lakh after committing the murder. Sanaullah, Mathew and Sajay, who are habitual offenders came on separate bikes and attacked Chikkathimmegowda, killing him on the spot. Four more accused involved in the case are still at large.
During investigation, police verified the call details of Govindegowda and his wife and it was established that they were in touch with the prime accused R X Suri, a history-sheeter. When he was grilled, he revealed the names of other accused and also about the supari.
The couple also confessed that Varamahalakshmi’s nephew Suresh Kumar had reportedly cheated them of over Rs 1 crore and he later became good friends with Chikkathimmegowda. Thus the couple thought it will effect their political future and decided to kill Chikkathimmegowda, the police added.
Chikkathimmegowda was a resident of Laggere in Sunkadakatte and was into real estate business and was also a construction contractor.