Rowdy sheeter murdered; BBMP corporator’s son arrested

Team Udayavani, Dec 19, 2018, 11:39 AM IST

• Congress corporator Chandrappa D’s son Sooraj taken into custody for his alleged involvement in the murder of Cable Viji

Bengaluru: A BBMP corporator’s son was arrested in connection to with the murder of a notorious rowdy sheeter on Monday Dec 17^th. The arrested youth is identified as Sooraj (26), son of Hombegowda Nagar Corporator Chandrappa D and was produced before the Court in connection for his alleged involvement in the murder of Cable Viji.

Vijay Kumar (38) also known by his aliases Lakkasandra Viji or Cable Viji, was found dead at his office at around 9:30 pm on Dec 4^th. As per police information, Viji was hacked to death by seven men after throwing chili powder into his eyes. Though he was rushed to the hospital, he had breathed his last.

Madiwala ACP Some Gowda GU said that the deceased Viji and the arrested Sooraj had business dealing with each other. It is believed that the prior owed money to the later since a long time. The two also had a public fight during the election time.

According to Adugodi police investigating the murder, Sooraj had paid ‘Supari’ to a contract killer Shafi to kill Viji. A case of murdered (IPC Sec 302) has been registered. Three police teams were formed to solve the case and nab the murderers. The police have arrested Shafi and 13 others involved in the murder including Sooraj.

The deceased rowdy sheeter had an office at Wilson Garden area and ran a cable TV subscription business. He was infamous for extorting money from local businesses and settling disputes with forceful intimidation.

The crime

Apparently an insider helped the accused to carry out the murder by leaking information on Viji’s routine. The insider is identified as Salman who was working for Viji’s cable business at Wilson Garden 16^th Main and is said to have been insulted on multiple occasion by the deceased in front of others.

The contract killer Shafi came to know of Salman and befriended him. On the day of murder, Salman informed the accused that Viji was at his office accompanied by only four of his associates unlike 20 associates that usually accompany him due to the threats to him. Taking advantage of the situation, a gang of seven assailants wearing helmets, barged into Viji’s office, threw chili powder and hacked Viji to death.

Sooraj’s motive

According to the information given by a police officer, Sooraj is said to have financed many businessmen and Viji would approach the businessmen, demanding them not to pay back interest to Sooraj or face dire consequences if they went against his wish. This suspected to be the motive for Sooraj behind the murder. Sooraj gave supari to Shafi and the gang put up a temporary shed near Viji’s office and maintained a close watch on his movements, informed the officer.