17 December,2010 06:46 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
They told victim's unsuspecting wife they had caught him taking a bribe and demanded Rs10 lakh for his release, after they had killed him
The kidnap drama that ended in the murder of a BESCOM engineer appears to be a murky tale of dirty money and betrayal.
In the net: Killers of BESCOM engineer Krishnamurthy who were nabbed
by the Cubbon Park police swung into action and within 24 hours of the
crime
Krishnamurthy, a vigilance officer at the power firm, was done in by his own friend Vijay Kumaru00a0-- a pimpu00a0-- to whom he had lent Rs 15 lakh for starting a business. Things took a turn for the macabre when Krishnamurthy started asking for his money back. Kumar then hatched a sinister plot to abduct Krishnamurthy and eliminate him.
Krishnamurthy, a native of Thindivanum in Tamil Nadu, met Kumar in strange circumstances, the police said. "Kirshnamurthy's friend, Srinivas, who is a junior engineer in the BBMP, introduced him to Kumar, wireman at the civic body. Kumar would arrange for call girls, and also provide hotel rooms to customers. Krishnamurthy used to avail of his services and soon they became friends," said a police source.
Kumar allegedly asked Krishnamurthy for a loan as he wanted to start his own business. Krishnamurthy leant him Rs 15 lakh, which Kumar used to set up a garment factory in Sudhama Nagar near Wilson Garden, said a police officer. However, soon after, Kumar began avoiding Krishnamurthy, he added.
Conned and killed
Krishnamurthy then allegedly started harassing Kumar over the repayment of the loan. It was then that Kumar hatched the conspiracy to kill Krishnamurthy, the police said. "On December 14, Kumar called the victim to a lodge on Double Road. Krishnamurthy went to the lodge around 4.30 pm, and later the two left for Kumar's factory," said a source.
"When Krishnamurthy reached the factory, an employee of Kumar hit the victim on his head with an iron rod. Kumar's staff then strangled him to death. Later on, they called Krishnamurthy's wife, Kumuda, and told her that they were Lokayukta officials," the source said.
'Pay up Rs 10 lakh'
"She was told that he had been caught taking a bribe in K R Puram, and she would have to pay up Rs 10 lakh for his release," city police commissioner Shankar M Bidari said. However, she told the accused that she had only Rs 3 lakh.
They told her to bring the money in Krishnamurthy's car and leave the vehicle. "Kumuda drove to Town Hall on Tuesday night around 10.30 pm and left the money under the seat. She returned home in an autorickshaw," Bidari said.
"Kumar and his associates took the car to the factory and stuffed the body in a gunny bag. They then drove the car to Tamil Nadu. Kumar called up a friend in Thandivanam, who suggested a well in Devanur in which to throw the body," a police officer said.
But some residents had spotted the accused throwing the body and informed the local police. On investigation, the police found the Karnataka registration car some 20 km away from well.
A senior police official said that the relatives of Krishnamurthy have been taken to Tamil Nadu for identification.
Recent kidnap incidents
April, 2010
A gang of five led by a gym instructor and his girlfriend kidnapped renowned pediatrician Sharath Kumar (55) in Sanjay Nagar and murdered him after taking valuables worth Rs 1.25 crore from his family members for his release.
September, 2010
Yogesh, a contractor with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) got his actress wife kidnapped and murdered, after he came to know about her extra martial affair.
December, 2010
A 27-year-old youth was kidnapped and hacked to death by his in-laws after he went to question their intention of marrying off their daughter for a second time.
Vinay, who had married the girl against her family's wishes, had a trivial row with his wife.
She went to her parents house after the fight, following which, the father and brother arranged her marriage again.
When Vinay went to object, they kidnapped and murdered him, and dumped the body in the outskirts of the city.
| Cops get cracking |
| >>As soon as a complaint was lodged, the Cubbon Park police swung into action and within 24 hours of the crime, nabbed the accused Vijay Kumar and his aides. |
