The rowdy sheeter who was hacked to death on April 7 in Mahalakshmi Layout had allegedly been set up by the girlfriend of one of the prime accused and mastermind of the murder.
So far, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested six people, including Roopesh R., a habitual offender who planned the murder; his friend, Varshini, whose mother is a member of the JD(S); Raja, the gangster who carried out the hit; and Hemanth, a contract killer.
According to the police, Varshini, 21, lives in Jnanabharathi. She has an M.Sc. in psychology from an institute in London, UK. She was in a relationship with Roopesh R. The slain rowdy sheeter, Lakshmana, was a friend of the family.
“On April 7, acting on Roopesh’s instructions, Varshini called Lakshmana on his mobile phone and asked him to meet her in a hotel in Mahalakshmi Layout. He went to meet her, but she wasn’t there. As Lakshmana was driving back, a gang of armed men in an SUV intercepted his car near the ISKCON temple and hacked him to death,” said a senior police officer.
The police found his mobile phone. They analysed the call record details and identified the suspects.
According to the police, Varshini's parents did not approve of her relationship with Roopesh. “They sought Lakshmana’s help to solve their problem,” the officer added. He allegedly told Roopesh to stay away from Varshini.
In anger, the duo planned to eliminate Lakshmana. As per the plan, Varshini become good friends with Lakshmana. Roopesh allegedly contacted Raja and Hemanth.
The police arrested both Raja and Hemanth. “Hemanth was taking shelter in Hanumagiri. He attacked the police team that went to arrest him. Inspector M.R. Harish opened fire to neutralise him,” said the police.
‘Varshini abetted burglary in MLA’s house’
The police claim that Varshini had helped Roopesh break into the house of K. Annadani, an MLA from Mandya district, in 2014. She allegedly stole a set of his house keys and handed them over to Roopesh. He made a duplicate set and returned the original keys. He was arrested for the burglary. During a stint in Mandya jail, he came in contact with Raja and Hemanth, said the police.