Ex-gang leader brutally murdered in Vijayapura; body cut in half
What's the story
Notorious former gang leader Bhagappa Harijan, the successor of the infamous gangster Chandappa Harijan, was brutally murdered near Akashvani in Vijayapura, Karnataka on Tuesday.
The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Gandhi Chowk Police Station.
Superintendent of Police Lakshman Nimbargi confirmed that "Bhagappa was killed by a group of four to five assailants using lethal weapons and possibly a firearm."
According to Times Now, his body was found mutilated.
Ongoing probe
Investigation underway into Harijan's murder
The assailants came in an auto-rickshaw and attacked Harijan when he was walking in front of his house after having a meal.
The police believe old rivalries may have led to the attack, but an investigation is ongoing.
A special investigation team has been formed to nab the killers, with efforts currently being made to gather CCTV footage and question potential witnesses.
Criminal history
Harijan's violent past and gang affiliations
Harijan was a prominent player in the decades-long Harijan gang rivalry that affected parts of Vijayapura and Kalaburagi.
He was closely related to Chandappa Harijan, one of the most feared gangsters of the 1990s who ruled over vast territories along the Bheema river basin until he was killed in a police encounter in May 2000.
After Chandappa's death, Bhagappa took over the gang's reins, continuing ongoing gang wars with more bloodshed and deadly rivalries.
Murder accusation
Harijan's infamous act and alleged retirement from crime
Bhagappa's most notorious act was the murder of Chandappa's brother, Basavaraj Harijan, in 2014.
Under Bhagappa's rule, gang violence increased as he engaged more deeply in arms dealing to enhance his underworld influence.
Bhagappa had recently moved to Mudina Nagar after completing a jail term and had claimed to have turned over a new leaf.