BELAGAVI: A 26-year-old youth was murdered, apparently over an old rivalry, in Belagavi city in the wee hours of Monday. The premises of Belagavi Institute of Medical Science (BIMS), where the victim was rushed to for treatment, witnessed moments of tension after he succumbed to injuries there.
The deceased is Shabaz Patan from Azam Nagar the city. Citing rivalry as the motive for the murder, Shbaz’s father Sherakhan Patan registered a case at Malamaruti police station. Police arrested two persons within two hours of the crime.
DCP (law and order) Vikram Amte said preliminary investigation indicates old rivalry may have resulted in the murder. “Cases of a murder and attempt-to-murder had been filed against Shabaz Patan. Maybe a gang has killed him to avenge his acts. Based on this, we have arrested two men — Basavaraj Nayak, 32, and Basappa Daddi,34, from Muttanhatti in Kakati police limits,” the DCP said, adding they are interrogating the duo to get more information on the case.
According to the DCP, the incident took place when Shabaz went to a resort, the venue for the birthday of a friend, on the city’s outskirts. “The gang, having known the presence of Shabaz at the resort, went there and attacked him using lethal weapons. When Shabaz escaped on his bike from there, the gang members chased him down at Shivabasava Nagar, severed his hands and fled,” he explained.
Though Shabaz was rushed to BIMS with help from locals, he did not respond to treatment. When the news of the murder spread in the city, a mob gathered at the hospital premises, triggering tension. Police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd.
Police are expected make a headway into the case with the help of a CCTV footage which shows the chase.