Bhagappa Harijan with his favourite 9mm machine gun. Photo found by the police in his personal album. Bhagappa was named in at least 10 cases, including six murders.
Vijayapura police have arrested four persons on the charge of murdering Bhagappa Harijan, a repeat offender. They are Prakash Melinakeri, Rahul Talakeri, Sudeep Kamble and Manikanth Benakoppa.
Only Rahul Talakeri has criminal antecedents. The others are first-time offenders. The arrests were made on February 14.
Bhagappa, who was named in at least 10 cases including six murders, was hacked to death in front of his house in Vijayapura on February 12.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that Prakash was angry with Bhagappa as he believed that Bhagappa had killed Prakash’s brother Ravi Melinakeri over a property dispute a few years ago.
Bhagappa Harijan survived an assassination attempt in 2023 when some men shot at him in the Vijayapura court complex.
Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi has congratulated a team led by Ramanagouda Hatti, Additional SP (Crime) for solving the murder and apprehending the accused.
Published – February 14, 2025 11:13 am IST