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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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
