Seven arrested in Periyapatna attempted murder case

Saude Raju | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The police cracked a case of attempted murder-for-hire in Periyapatna and arrested seven accused, including the complainant’s uncle, who was allegedly the conspirator’s uncle.

Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi said two masked assailants riding a motorcycle attacked complainant Praveen Kumar with a long machete at around 6.45 pm on April 13 at Periyapatna police station in an alleged attempt to murder him.

Kumar sustained severe injuries in the attack and subsequently filed a police complaint. On April 21, when he was riding a two-wheeler near a lake in Hitnahalli village on the state highway, a car allegedly hit his vehicle from behind.

The complainant, who reported the incident to the police, suspected that his maternal uncle, Saude Raju (57), a timber merchant based in Bettadapura village of Periyapatna taluk, had orchestrated the accident with the intention of eliminating him.

Taking both the incidents seriously, the police formed a special investigation team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Hunsur Division, Ravi, to trace the persons involved.

During interrogation, Raju allegedly revealed that he had hired Shafi, a resident of Sullia, to kill his nephew over a property dispute for a contract sum of Rs 7 lakh. Police said Shafi admitted during interrogation that the accident was part of a murder plot.

Police said continuous interrogation of Raj revealed that he had independently hired Meer Hussain Ali alias Sultan, a resident of Shivappa Layout in Periyapatna city, for ₹30 lakh to assassinate Kumar.

When Sultan was taken into custody and questioned, investigators found that he had allegedly turned on Hunsur Town troublemaker Nayaz Ahmed. The duo is said to have engaged troublemakers Abid Pasha, Ayaz Pasha and Ameenulla, all residents of Mysuru, and were allegedly involved in 12 criminal cases, including six cases of murder, to carry out the murder plan.

During interrogation, Abid and Ayaz reportedly confessed to the attempted murder of Kumar on 13 April.

Police arrested Raja, Shafi, Ali, Ahmed, Abid, Ayaz and Ameenulla. The police also recovered mobile phones, a car, a motorcycle, a machete used in the attack and ₹10,000 in cash.

Mr. Baladandi and Additional Superintendent of Police C. Mallik appreciated the investigation conducted by the special team comprising Periyapatna Inspector Govindaraju MV, Bylakuppe Circle Inspector Deepak MK, Periyapatna Sub-Inspector Jagadish BH, Bettadapur Sub-Inspector Ajay Kumar DN, Ramark Bylakuppe and others.

Published – 25 May 2026 23:58 IST