Bengaluru: Two homeguards who were seen riding past the scene of the brutal murder of rowdy-sheeter and murder accused Raju alias Rajubhai on JP Nagar Main Road have emerged as crucial eyewitnesses in the case, Bengaluru Police have said.
The clarification came after a video of the incident went viral on social media, with many questioning why two men in khaki appeared to ride past without intervening.
Homeguards raised alarm, alerted police
Senior police officials clarified that the men seen in the video were homeguards returning home from duty and not armed police personnel.
Officials said homeguards are civilians engaged on a contractual basis by the police department and are neither armed nor trained to confront violent criminals.
According to police, the duo did not ignore the incident. Instead, they stopped a short distance away, shouted at the attackers in an attempt to deter them and immediately alerted the police by calling the emergency helpline 112.
Eyewitness accounts aid investigation
Investigators said the homeguards have provided detailed statements describing the attack and the assailants involved.
Police believe their testimony will play a significant role in identifying those responsible, including the accused who allegedly inflicted repeated machete blows on Rajubhai’s neck and face during the fatal assault.
Four arrested, more arrests likely
City Police have so far arrested four accused identified as Santosh, Marimuttu, Aadi and Prabhu. Investigators said the murder was the outcome of an old rivalry and added that further arrests are likely as the probe continues.
In a related development, police said a woman Sub-Inspector from JP Nagar Police Station shot the prime accused, Santosh Kumar, in the knee during a weapon recovery operation at Talaghattapura after he allegedly attacked police personnel with a stone while attempting to escape.
Police said the team had taken Santosh to recover the machetes and other weapons used in the murder. After warning him by firing two rounds in the air, the officer opened fire in self-defence when the accused allegedly continued his attack. Santosh was injured, taken into custody and admitted to hospital for treatment.