Neighbours returned to murder school founder

BENGALURU: A 10-foot strip of disputed land between two properties off Magadi Road claimed the life of a school founder here on Sunday morning.The school founder KR Ranganath was in a dispute with Gangamma, who owned the plot next to the school near Agrahara Dasarahalli, off Magadi Road. The landrow lingered even after Gangamma died a few years ago. Ranganath obtained a favourable court order and demolished a portion of a building on the disputed plot on Friday.Gangamma’s sons Muniraju alias Babli and Mahesh were enraged. “Babli and Mahesh sent a message to Ranganath they were ready to forgo the disputed land if he stopped demolishing their house,” the DCP said. A meeting was arranged on Sunday in Ranganath’s chambers at the school. Bablu and Mahesh arrived with supporters. Some school staffers were around. Following negotiations, both sides agreed to share the disputed land and end the festering row. Barring Ranganath, everybody left the school.But Babli and Mahesh, along with supporters, returned within minutes. They barged into Ranganath’s office, stabbed him repeatedly with a sharpedged weapon. Ranganath died instantly. Police registered a case of murder against Babli, Mahesh and their aides.Ranganath is survived by his wife Sowmya, a daughter and a son.In the evening, Babli was tracked to Mahalakshmi Layout. Police said Babli allegedly tried to assault policemen Naveen and Srinivas when they tried to arrest him. Magadi Road police inspector Hemanth Kumar opened three rounds of fire and caught Babli. He was rushed to Victoria Hospital for treatment. Police said Babli and Mahesh had criminal antecedents.