Mangaluru Police arrest Dandupalya Gang member in 29-year-old double murder case
Mangaluru: Urva Police have arrested a long-absconding accused in a 29-year-old double murder case that took place within the limits of the Urva Police Station. The arrested man is a member of the notorious Dandupalya gang.
The accused has been identified as Chikka Hanuma alias Chikka Hanumanthappa alias K. Krishnappa alias Krishna, a known member of the Dandupalya gang. Police traced and arrested him in Andhra Pradesh following specific information about his whereabouts. He was later produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
The crime dates back to the midnight of October 11, 1997. On that night, members of the Dandupalya gang allegedly broke into a house near Marigudi Cross in Urva. The gang murdered two occupants of the house, Lewis D’Mello, aged around 80, and Ranjith Vegas, aged 19, before fleeing with gold ornaments.
Those involved in the crime included Doddah Hanuma alias Doddah Hanumanthappa, Venkatesh alias Chandra, Munikrishna alias Krishna, Nallathimma alias Thimma, Krishna alias Dandupalya Krishna alias Nagaraj, Chikka Hanuma, Krishnadu alias Krishna, and Venkatesh alias Ramesh.
Following the crime, Chikka Hanuma went into hiding and managed to evade arrest for years by changing his name to Chikka Hanumanthappa alias K. Krishnappa alias Krishna. In 2010, a warrant was issued against him by the JMFC II Court in Mangaluru. Police records show that he is involved in about 13 murder and robbery cases across the state.
At the time of arrest, the accused was residing in Vijay Nagar Colony in Madanapalle, located in Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh. He is originally from Hoskote taluk near Bengaluru.
The arrest operation was carried out by a team led by Urva Police Inspector Shyam Sundar H.M., along with Sub-Inspectors Gurappakanti and L. Manjula, Assistant Sub-Inspector Vinay Kumar, and staff members Lalithalakshmi, Anil, Pramod, Atmanand, and Harish.
Mangaluru Police Commissioner said a recommendation has been sent to the State Director General and Inspector General of Police for rewarding the officers and staff involved in tracing and arresting the accused.
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Terror threat: Security heightened near key religious, heritage sites in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Security was tightened across key religious and heritage sites in Delhi on Saturday, including areas around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk, following intelligence inputs suggesting a possible terror threat, an official said.
Security agencies issued an alert on a possible explosion threat near Red Fort, a major tourist destination and high-security zone, after Central intelligence agencies indicated that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has allegedly kept prominent religious places in India on its target list.
Sources said specific inputs suggested that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be among the potential targets.
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While the intelligence inputs are being verified and assessed, security has been stepped up in and around sensitive religious places and crowded public areas, they added.
Intelligence agencies indicated that LeT could be attempting to carry out an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-based attack. The alleged plan is reportedly linked to attempts by the terror group to avenge the February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, sources said.
Central agencies and Delhi Police units are maintaining close coordination, and surveillance has been intensified through CCTV monitoring, vehicle checks and deployment of additional personnel at vulnerable points. Bomb disposal squads, dog squads and quick reaction teams have also been placed on standby at strategic locations, they added.
The alert comes in the backdrop of the deadly car explosion near the historic Red Fort on November 10, 2025, which killed at least 13 people and injured more than 20 others. The blast occurred when a car loaded with explosives detonated near Gate No 1 of the Red Fort metro station, igniting multiple vehicles nearby and causing panic in the densely populated area.
Security agencies have urged people to remain vigilant and immediately inform police or emergency services about any suspicious objects or activity. However, officials said there is no cause for panic and that the measures are precautionary in nature.
Further intelligence gathering and verification of inputs are underway, an official said.
