2 missing realtors were killed, burnt and buried in farm by builder

BENGALURU: Two realtors, who had gone missing on June 27, were murdered allegedly by a builder, police have concluded after exhuming 15% of their remains from a farm at Aravehalli village near Talghattapura in south Bengaluru.
Girinagar police have arrested eight men in connection with the murder of Prasad Babu, 45, of Rajarajeshwari Nagar and his business partner Balaji of Girinagar, and are on the lookout for their two other associates.

Police said they disinterred the remains, mostly skeletal, based on the information given by main accused, Tejas, 30, a resident of JP Nagar and builder.

“Tejas and his associates eliminated Babu and Balaji over a financial dispute. The duo had given Rs 50 lakh to Tejas a few months ago to develop a layout. The work could not be carried out due to land dispute and Tejas was asked to return the money. But Tejas decided to kill them and executed the plan with the help of his employees and associates,” a police officer said.

Tejas was taken into police custody on Saturday for questioning after evidence pointed to his involvement in the duo’s disappearance. He, along with his two associates, Mani, 32, and Anil, 30, were produced before the court. They were remanded in police custody for 10 days. Police have arrested five more suspects on their information. At least 10 persons are involved in the crime.

CDR analysis led to accused

According to police, Tejas called Babu and Balaji to his office on June 27 to discuss the financial issue. Later, the duo went missing. Tejas feigned innocence and even joined police search for the realtors after their relatives filed complaints a day later.

But when cops analysed the call detail records (CDR) of the duo, it was found that Tejas had called them several times on June 27.

Upon grilling, Tejas said he and his associates took the realtors to a godown at Aravehalli near Talaghattapura and suffocated them to death. The bodies were shifted to his farm in the same area. They burnt the bodies completely, dug up the earth using an excavator owned by Tejas and buried the remains on June 28. Police seized the vehicle and arrested its operator Mukhesh on Sunday.

DNA test soon

Police have found about 15% of the remains of the dead men. Forensic experts have collected samples. Sources said DNA tests will be conducted to identify the remains and it will take months to complete the procedures.