‘Cat’ Raja, man behind rowdy Lakshmana’s murder, nabbed

Police arrested one of the prime accused, Raja alias ‘Cat’ Raja, in connection with the murder of gangster Lakshmana on Saturday.

Raja was being escorted by the police to Karim Saheb Layout in Rajagopalanagar for the recovery of his blood-stained clothes and murder weapon when he launched an escape bid following which he was shot at and injured in his legs, police said.

The Mahalakshmi Layout police are yet to arrest 10-11 others, including history-sheeter Rupesh and his associate Hemanth in connection with Lakshmana’s murder, the police added.

Soon after the murder of Lakshmana, the police through their informers learnt that the murder was carried out by a rival gang with whom Lakshmana had clashed in the Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara.

The police also learnt that the dominant hand in Lakshmana’s murder was that of ‘Cat’ Raja, a resident of Mandya.

A special team of police traced him to his wife’s native in Gudibande in Chikkaballapur district, where he was hiding after the murder. Raja was taken into custody on Friday and was brought to the city.

Bloodstained clothes

On Saturday, the Mahalakshmi Layout police headed by police inspector Prashanth was escorting Raja to Karim Saheb Layout near Doddanna estate in Peenya 2nd Stage. The accused had told the police that he had discarded his bloodstained clothes and the murder weapon at the estate.

When the police team and Raja were about to reach the area, the accused picked a stone and assaulted two head-constables Chowdegowda and Anantha who were escorting him. Inspector Prashanth warned Raja by firing in the air, but as he continued to attack, Prashanth shot Raja in his legs and immobilised him.

Later, the two constables along with Raja were taken to a hospital.

The Rajagopalanagar police have registered a case of criminal assault on a public servant and a bid to escape from police custody.

The Mahalakshmi Layout police are yet to recover the clothes and the murder weapon used by Raja.