Bengaluru: Man killed after fight over ₹20 gutka packet; accused arrested
Bengaluru: A petty argument over a ₹20 gutka packet ended in murder in Varthur, Bengaluru, with police arresting the accused.
The arrested man has been identified as Sitaram, a native of Bihar. The deceased, Jitendra Pandey alias Bablu, was also from Bihar. Both were friends and used to work as tile labourers at a private school building in Ramagondanahalli near Varthur.
According to police, the two had a drinking session on the night of July 28. During the party, Jitendra asked Sitaram to buy a ₹20 packet of Vimal gutka. This led to a heated argument between the two. Sitaram reportedly got angry and questioned why he was being sent to buy gutka. The verbal spat soon turned physical.
In a fit of rage, Sitaram allegedly picked up a trowel and hit Jitendra, killing him on the spot.
The incident came to light on July 29, and Varthur police registered a case. Based on the investigation, they tracked down and arrested Sitaram. Further investigation is underway.
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K'taka remains central to Aequs' strategy, says min Patil amid row over firm's investment in TN
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Commerce and Industries Minister M B Patil on Monday asserted that Aequs continues to expand in the state and that its proposed investment in neighbouring Tamil Nadu was a business decision aimed at diversification, not a shift away from Karnataka.
Reacting to criticism on social media over reports that the Karnataka-based firm had signed a major investment deal in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district for setting up a specialised aerospace and defense manufacturing cluster, he said the state government was fully aware of the company's plans and remained confident about its long-term commitment to Karnataka.
"While we welcome every major investment in India, would like to clarify a few points," Patil said in a post on 'X'.
Aequs was significantly expanding its footprint within Karnataka, including a Rs 3,000 crore investment in Kolar for electronics manufacturing.
"Its recently approved Rs 1,500 crore ECMS project will also be grounded in the state. Karnataka remains central to its long-term strategy," he said.
Patil added that the government had prior knowledge of the TN proposal.
The government was already informed and aware that the TN investment is a business decision aimed at geographic diversification and de-risking operations, not a shift away from Karnataka.
"Healthy competition between states strengthens India's manufacturing ecosystem," he said.
Emphasising the state's focus on high-technology sectors, Patil said, "We remain committed to deepening Karnataka's leadership in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, and our engagement with industry partners is strong and ongoing."
The Aequs Group has pledged Rs 4,000 crore to bolster Tamil Nadu's aerospace manufacturing capabilities at the SIPCOT-Shoolagiri Industrial Park in Krishnagiri district.
The group proposes to establish a specialised aerospace and defense manufacturing cluster for the production of aircraft engines, gearbox components, and precision engineering parts. This initiative is expected to provide employment to 7,000 individuals.
