Bengaluru lawyer shot in the head: ‘One came back with cash, another with gun’ – how rent dispute led to murder | Today’s news
A 42-year-old advocate was allegedly shot dead by two of his tenants following a dispute over unpaid rent at his residence in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on Sunday evening, police said.
The deceased was identified as Manjunath, a resident of Pattandur Agrahara, Whitefield, Bengaluru. The two suspects, Pankaj Dube and Amit Kumar Dube, both from Bihar, were said to be working as delivery men.
They lived in a small room behind B Manjunatha’s house for about one and a half years. Police said on Monday that the duo had not paid rent for three years, the Times of India reported.
According to the police, the preliminary investigation showed that about an hour before the shooting, there was an argument between the lawyer and the accused about unpaid rent.
Manjunath’s brother reportedly lodged a complaint with the police alleging that the advocate had warned the tenants on Sunday night for the outstanding rent. A heated conversation led to the murder, TOI reported.
“They first approached the house and talked to Manjunath for some time. They said they would return with the money and returned. Around 11.45 pm, one of them returned and called Manjunath,” Muniraju was quoted as saying by TOI.
A close relative told the outlet that one of the suspects turned over the lease to an attorney. As he was counting the cash, the second suspect allegedly came from behind and shot Manjunath in the head, the report added.
The advocate suffered a gunshot wound to the head and died, police told PTI.
The accused fled the scene shortly after the shot.
A case has been registered at the Whitefield police station and efforts are on to trace and arrest the suspects, the police said, adding that further investigations are underway.
Police are investigating the source of the illegal firearm
According to TOI, a senior officer expressed concern over the alleged use of an illegal pistol in the killing.
Police said they would investigate where the gun was purchased and whether associates or relatives of the suspects possessed other illegal firearms.
