Body of man abducted near Bengaluru found in TN, one held
Bengaluru (PTI): The body of a real estate businessman was found with severe injuries in neighbouring Tamil Nadu on Monday, a day after he was allegedly kidnapped by a gang near here, police said.
The victim, identified as Gopal alias Gopi, a resident of Honnakalasapura village in Anekal taluk on the outskirts of Bengaluru City, was in his late 30's. He is engaged in real estate and financial business, they said.
The police have arrested Mohan Babu, alleged to be the mastermind behind the crime, even as efforts are being made to nab his two associates who kidnapped Gopal.
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, who in turn informed the police.
A team from the Anekal police station rushed to the spot and conducted an inspection. The police have seized the vehicle used to block the car.
"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 the real estate sector. Later, Gopal became a strong competitor in his business," Chandrakant M V, Superintendent of Police (Bengaluru Rural) told reporters here.
Following this, Mohan was taken into custody for questioning and during interrogation, his role in the case emerged and it was revealed that he was the main conspirator behind the entire incident.
During interrogation, Mohan also claimed that Gopal had been practising black magic against him, causing his ill health.
The police said the truth will emerge only after a deeper investigation.
"Preliminary information suggested that two individuals carried out the kidnapping and they have currently switched off their phones. Once they are traced and apprehended, police will verify the instructions given by Mohan to them and examine all possible angles," he said.
Meanwhile, on Monday morning, Gopal's body was found in Hosur in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
A police team was dispatched for Hosur to conduct the spot inspection and carry out further procedures.
Asked whether Mohan had given a contract to execute the murder, the officer said they could confirm that only after the absconding accused are apprehended and questioned.
"At this stage, as the investigation is ongoing, they cannot make definitive statements," he said.
Asked how the victim was killed, police declined to comment.
"The body has been recovered and will undergo post-mortem examination. Only after receiving the medical report will the exact cause of death be determined," the SP added.
The deceased's family staged a protest outside the local police station, demanding justice and immediate arrest of all those involved in the crime.
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SP has ended contract with I-PAC due to fund constraints: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has severed its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds.
He dismissed speculations that the termination of contract was because of recent election results.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said the party had engaged I-PAC for a brief period ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but could not continue the arrangement.
"Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding," he said.
The I-PAC is a political consultancy firm known for managing major election campaigns across the country.
Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has also been associated with the organisation in the past and has worked with multiple parties, including the BJP and the Congress.
In a lighter vein, Yadav took a swipe at the ecosystem of political consultancies. "We thought that if we have to work with a 'winning agency', then there are several big companies."
He said that some people suggested conducting surveys, hiring another firm, keeping a social media company, and even engaging agencies for negative campaigning against other parties.
"There are one or two more companies whose names are not yet known. I can get those for you as well," Yadav said.
Yadav rejected the suggestion that the decision to end the deal was influenced by recent election outcomes in states such as West Bengal.
"There is no such thing. Do not ask questions based on baseless reports. That is not true," he said.
"This is not the reason for ending the agreement. We simply do not have enough funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
