BENGALURU: A 42-year-old advocate was shot dead at his residence in Pattandur Agrahara, Whitefield, late Sunday night, allegedly by two tenants working as delivery agents following a dispute over unpaid rent.The suspects, identified as Pankaj Dube and Amit Kumar Dube, both from Bihar, had been living in a small room behind the house of B Manjunath for around one-and-a-half years. Police said the duo had not paid rent for three months.
Unpaid rent leads to confrontation
According to the police complaint lodged by Manjunath’s brother Muniraju, the advocate reprimanded the tenants over the pending rent on Sunday night. The confrontation is suspected to have led to the murder.“First, they came near the house and spoke to Manjunath for some time. Saying they would return with the money, they went back. Around 11.45pm, one of them returned and called Manjunath out,” Muniraju said.
One tenant hands over cash, the other allegedly opens fire
A close relative, Akshay, said one of the suspects handed over the rent to Manjunath. As the advocate counted the cash, the other suspect allegedly approached him from behind and shot him in the head.Manjunath was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead despite attempts to revive him. He is survived by his wife and two minor children.Deputy commissioner of police (Whitefield) Saiduly Adavat said police launched a manhunt for the suspects, who allegedly fled on separate motorcycles.Another senior police officer said investigators had leads on the suspects’ whereabouts and were probing how they obtained the firearm.
Police probe source of illegal firearm
A senior officer expressed concern over the alleged use of an illegal pistol in the killing. Police will investigate where the weapon was purchased and whether the suspects’ associates or relatives possess other illegal firearms, the officer said.Manjunath’s family has four siblings, and the family’s ancestral properties include extensive landholdings and buildings, police said.
Advocates’ association seeks speedy investigation
Condemning the killing, Advocates’ Association Bengaluru president Subba Reddy said representatives of the organisation met police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and sought a speedy investigation.The association also discussed the need for guidelines for private firms hiring workers from other states and for house owners renting accommodation to them, he said.Manjunath’s neighbour Siddegowda expressed shock over the incident and called for measures to prevent similar attacks.
Killing follows shooting over business dispute
The murder comes a week after a realtor allegedly shot and injured his former car driver near Konanakunte over a business dispute. The realtor allegedly fired a round into the driver’s leg using his licensed revolver. Police arrested him and seized the weapon. The driver is recovering in hospital.