Bengaluru: Two men were sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Kanakapura, Ramanagara district, after they were found guilty of beating a 36-year-old man to death six years ago.
Judge Kumar HN imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 each on the convicts — K Chikkegowda alias K Chikkaiah, 44, and his close relative Kumar PV, 34, both residents of Pichhanakere village in Harohalli — according to a press release from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The duo was arrested by Kanakapura rural police on charges of murdering BM Annaiah on Nov 5, 2018. Claiming that the local police investigation wouldn't bring justice to the case, Annaiah's family approached the court, which directed CID to take over the investigation.
Police investigation revealed that Chikkegowda and Annaiah were business partners and commission agents for land deals. Annaiah was mostly living in Chikkegowda's house, and there were rumours that Chikkegowda's wife and Annaiah were in a relationship.
"Chikkegowda was using Annaiah's motorbike, and Annaiah repeatedly requested Chikkegowda to transfer the motorbike documents into his name. As Chikkegowda failed to do so, Annaiah was upset. This led to a crack in their partnership, and the affair rumour separated them," an investigating officer said.