Bengaluru realtor kidnapped & killed, body found dumped in Tamil Nadu; biz partner under lens

BENGALURU: A realtor from Anekal in Bengaluru Rural district was allegedly kidnapped Sunday evening and later murdered, with his body found dumped near Denkanikottai in Tamil Nadu Monday morning.

The victim, identified as Gopal, was travelling in his car with his friend Satish when a gang of car-borne miscreants intercepted them near Karpur on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border between 6.30pm and 7pm. According to police, the assailants rammed their vehicle into Gopal's car, forcing it to stop.

The gang then allegedly sprayed a chemical on Satish. As he struggled to see and ran for cover, the attackers dragged Gopal out of the car, bundled him into their vehicle and sped away.

Satish alerted police, prompting a search operation. Officers were informed that the kidnappers had driven towards Tamil Nadu through the Denkanikottai route.

Seven special teams were formed to trace the victim and track down the offenders. Police initially suspected that the kidnappers might have moved towards Shivamogga or Mangaluru, and two teams were sent to those regions while others combed areas on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.

Monday morning, Denkanikottai police informed their Anekal counterparts about a body found by the roadside in their jurisdiction. The description matched that of the missing realtor, and officers later confirmed the identity.

Police suspect the kidnappers transported him in a car and later murdered him using sharp weapons. Investigators suspect the involvement of Gopal's former associate, Mohan Babu. According to police sources, the two had previously worked together but fell out several years ago following financial disputes.

Sources said Mohan allegedly harboured resentment after Gopal started his own real estate business and began earning significantly more.

Gopal's wife, Swati, alleged that Mohan had assaulted her husband in the past. "Two years ago, Mohan Babu took my husband to his farmhouse and assaulted him. They are relatives and used to work together earlier. Their business dispute led to this incident. I suspect Mohan is behind the kidnapping," she said.

Efforts are on to trace Mohan and other suspects.