In revenge killing, realtor hacked to death

BANGALORE: Realtor H T Devendra, 45, was hacked to death in Nelamangala on Tuesday, apparently in retaliation to the murder of Lohith Gowda murdered last week on his way to Parappana Agrahara.
Devendra, a small-time politician, is the brother-in-law of Bethanagere Seena, prime accused in Lohith's murder. The incident took place at around 10.30 am when Devendra, resident of Yedalu village and former president of Arishinakunte Gram Panchayat, was heading towards Doddaballapur.The assailants stopped his SUV, pulled him out and hacked him to death.
Earlier, Lohith Gowda and Bethanagere Seena were partners in many real estate deals. When Lohith began exploiting revenue land in Nelamangala industrial area, Seena decided to eliminate him. Seena called Lohith to Parappana Agrahara, where he is lodged, and planned Lohith's elimination.
IGP (Central Range) Kamal Panth said the retaliation theory cannot be ruled out: "It has happened within a week and this angle will be probed.''