Bengaluru: Ex-rowdy killed inside bank as wife, kid watch

BENGALURU: A 35-year-old history-sheeter, who was reportedly turning a new leaf, was chased and hacked to death in front of his wife and five-year old daughter inside a bank in Koramangala 8th Block on Monday.
Joseph Babli alias Babli, resident of Rajendranagar slum, had stayed away from anti-social activities for many years, his family members said.The last
criminal case against Babli, who was into the business of civil contract now, was registered in 2011 with Adugodi police.
According to police, Babli arrived on a scooter at the Koramangala branch of Union Bank of India at 1.30pm. His wife and daughter alighted from the scooter and Babli went towards the parking lot where half a dozen rivals brandishing lethal weapons accosted him. Seeing them, Babli ran across the parking lot, entered the bank and locked himself inside an empty chamber. But the armed gang chased him. Babli’s wife and daughter too ran into the bank.
The assailants smashed the glass panes of the chamber and broke open the door before attacking Babli with machetes and knives. Babli died instantly.
Employees panic, hide inside strongroom
The panic-stricken bank staff, around 12 in number, ran into the strongroom, hoping the gang won’t see them. The attackers fled soon after Babli collapsed. There was no guard in the bank, police said.
Bank manager Avalokita said: “I was in my cabin and other staff were preparing to close cash transactions. Suddenly, a man entered the chamber near the entrance. Soon, some armed men smashed the glass panes of the chamber and broke open the door. They attacked the man who was standing in a corner and screaming loudly. As he fell, they fled.”
There were 25 customers when the incident took place. “Cashdrawing facility was being closed. We were continuing with cash deposits and other work. As the attackers entered the bank, we
Joseph Babli was trying to park his scooter when the gang chased him. He tried to hide inside the bank chamber, but the miscreants broke open the door and attacked him with machetes and knives
rushed towards the strongroom. However, they did not turn this side. The customers too ran outside,” a staffer told police.
Peter (name changed), elder brother of Babli, said the attackers seemed to have followed the scooter from home. The bank is located 1.5 km from Rajendranagar slum.