Hubballi: Police on Friday detained five people in connection with the murder of Yogesh Gouda, a Zilla Panchayat member. The BJP leader was hacked to death over a land dispute with Basavaraj Muttagi, who is also Congress leader and close aide of minister Vinay Kulkarni.
The arrested have been identified as Basavaraj, Vinayak Katagi, Vikram Ballari, Keerthikumar Kurahatti and Sandeep Savadatti. The police have launched search operation for another person, who is absconding. They recovered two bikes and lethal weapons from the accused.
Basavaraj had prepared a notary to purchase 25 acre and 8 guntas of land in Belligatti village of Dharwad taluk. He had also paid Rs 6 lakh as advance to its owner Nagesh Todkar. Yogesh too had purchased nice acres of land in the same area.
Yogesh wanted Basavaraj to give up the land purchase and threatened him against proceeding with the land deal. He had also tried to attack Basavaraj with the help of his supporters. This has enraged Basavaraj and some of his followers. They hatched a plan to kill the BJP leader while he was alone at his own gym at Saptapur in Dharwad.
“We have arrested all the five people based on the technical evidence. We will arrest sixth person involved and will conduct a thorough probe to ascertain there was any involvement of Minister Vinay Kulkarni. Investigation is also underway to trace the person who has posted anonymous threatening letter to Yogesh’s house,” said Pandurang Rane, Police Commissioner, Hubballi-Dharwad.
Basavaraj is the son of a retired assistant sub-inspector. He had also actively taken part in campaigning for Minister Vinay Kulkarni during previous Assembly elections.
