Dispute over Rs 200 unpaid bill, Bengaluru tea shop owner bludgeoned to death

BENGALURU: A 40-year-old-tea shop owner from Doddaballapur was bludgeoned to death by a miscreant after he demanded payment of Rs 200 for an unpaid bill from the accused.

The suspect, identified as Muniyappa of Appakranahalli village, on May 12, visited the tea shop owned by Manjunath, a resident of Dyavasandra village in Doddaballapur Rural, and demanded tea and some snacks.

“At the time, Manjunath reminded him of the unpaid bill of Rs 200 that Muniyappa had taken on credit earlier and said unless he cleared his dues, no fresh credit would be given,” an investigating officer said.

Angered over the refusal, Muniyappa took a wooden log from the shop and thrashed him before fleeing. Though a couple of customers were present, none of them stopped him, police said.

“Last year, Muniyappa had stabbed his mother following a trivial fight. He was then arrested on attempt to murder charges and sent to judicial custody. Customers who were present there were aware of this matter and did not intervene,” police said.

Muniyappa, who was absconding after the murder, was arrested by police on Saturday from his hideout with help of his fellow villagers and sent him to judicial custody.