BENGALURU: The investigation into the murder of BJP worker Chikkathimmegowda has revealed that a person had posted on Facebook that, ‘soon there will be a murder in Hegganahalli’, several days prior to the crime.
Sources privy to the investigation said that the main accused, former JD(S) corporator Govindegowda and his wife Varamahalakshmi, had approached two to three rowdies to give supari (contract) to bump off Chikkathimmegowda. “However, initial attempts by the couple to strike a deal had failed as none of the agreed to commit the murder. After they approached a rowdy, who did not agree for the deal, his close aide had posted on his Facebook profile that ‘soon there will be a murder in Hegganahalli’ in Kannada. Though his friends had seen it, they did not take it seriously,” a source said.
It apparently came to the notice of the police only after the murder. “If at all any of his friends had alerted us about the post, we could have averted the murder. Now, we are contemplating to make the person, who posted the message, as a witness in the case. However, its not yet finalised as we may also consider booking him for not alerting the police despite knowing about a murder conspiracy,” the source said.
Only after two to three rowdies refused to take up the deal, the couple approached rowdy RX Suri, the source said. “Soon after the murder, the couple went to Kerala and returned after a few days, and soon they were nabbed. It is revealed that Varamahalakshmi had a strong hatred towards Chikkathimmegowda than her husband, and she personally ensured that the murder plan did not go awry,” the source said.
2 more including a minor held
Meanwhile, the total number of arrests in the case has gone up to 11 with the police arresting two more people, Vishal alias, Sethu, 19, a resident of Kachohalli Cross in Gollarahatti on Magadi Road, and a 16-year-old boy. “Vishal was the one who repeatedly stabbed Chikkathimmegowda in the chest with a dagger. The minor followed the deceased and passed on information about his movements to the killers,” the police said. Two more accused in the case are absconding.
