Bengaluru (PTI): Eight people, including two minors, were held in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a real estate businessman on the outskirts of the city, police said on Thursday.
The deceased, identified as Gopal alias Gopi, a resident of Honnakalasapura village in Anekal taluk on the outskirts of Bengaluru City, was in his late 30s. He was engaged in real estate and financial business, they said.
Police had earlier arrested Mohan Babu, alleged to be the main conspirator behind the killing. He apparently believed that Gopal had performed black magic to sabotage his buisness.
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"We have nabbed eight people in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Gopal from their hideout in Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu). Among them, two are minors. Efforts are being made to nab others accomplices who were also part of the conspiracy," a senior police officer said.
The case is currently being investigated by the CID team.
According to police, on Sunday, Gopal and his friend Satish were travelling in a car from Attibele towards Anekal when the incident occurred near Karpur Gate in Anekal taluk.
The assailants, who had allegedly planned the abduction, rammed the car with another vehicle to stop it.
The miscreants then allegedly sprayed a substance on Gopal and forcibly kidnapped him before fleeing the spot in another car, a senior police officer said.
Satish, who was also sprayed by the kidnappers, managed to alert Gopal's family members about the incident. The family subsequently informed the police.
"During preliminary investigation, it was found that Gopal and Mohan were both from Kalasapura village in Chikkamagaluru district and had been at loggerheads for about 10-12 years. Earlier, Gopal used to work under Mohan in real estate activities, including arranging documents and coordinating with departments as well as identifying buyers," the officer said.
Later, Gopal started working independently in the same field, which allegedly created hostility as Mohan felt Gopal was becoming a strong competitor in his business, he added.
During questioning, Mohan also claimed that Gopal had been performing black magic against him and was responsible for his ill health, though police said the truth will emerge only after deeper investigation.
Meanwhile, on Monday morning, Gopal's body was found in Hosur in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
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Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
