Bengaluru: Police have arrested 11 people, including a couple, in connection with an alleged attempt to murder a man following an old dispute linked to a cricket match in Subramanyapura in southwest Bengaluru.
The accused have been identified as Manikanta, 27; his wife Keerthana, 21; Prem V.; Manoj G.; Krishnagupta; Akash alias Mandya; Munna; Madhusudhan; Darshan S.; Sudeep M.N.; and Bharath M.G. All the accused are reportedly in their 20s, except Manikanta.
Two attacks reported on September 20
According to the police, the complainant and the accused had played a cricket match around two months ago. A dispute reportedly broke out during the match over bats and wickets, leading to an alleged grudge.
Police said the dispute later escalated into two separate attacks on September 20.
In the first incident, the complainant and his friends were at a vacant site in Uttarahalli when around six to seven people allegedly arrived on motorcycles. The group reportedly attacked the complainant and one of his friends with daggers.
The victims were allegedly targeted as part of an attempt to settle the old dispute.
Second attack near Uttarahalli Main Road
Later the same day, another attack was reported near Uttarahalli Main Road.
The complainant was having food when more than five people allegedly arrived on motorcycles and attacked him with iron rods. Police said the complainant’s nephew was also assaulted when he attempted to intervene.
The two incidents led to the registration of separate cases at Subramanyapura police station on September 21.
Investigators subsequently began examining CCTV footage and other technical evidence to identify the suspects and establish their movements.
Police question woman over accused’s whereabouts
During the investigation, police questioned Keerthana about the whereabouts of the other accused.
According to police sources, she initially provided incorrect information and allegedly concealed the fact that some of the accused had visited her residence.
Police then reviewed CCTV footage from the surrounding area and reportedly found evidence showing that the accused had visited her house.
“We reviewed CCTV footage in the vicinity and found that the accused had visited her house. Subsequently, we questioned her again, which gave leads about the whereabouts of the accused,” an investigator said.
The information obtained during the subsequent questioning helped police trace the other suspects, according to the officer.
Cricket match dispute allegedly led to attack
Investigators said the alleged attacks were linked to a quarrel that took place during the cricket match approximately two months earlier.
The complainant and some of the accused had reportedly been playing together when an argument broke out over cricket equipment, including bats and wickets.
Police suspect that the disagreement continued after the match and eventually led to an alleged plan to attack the complainant.
The suspects allegedly arrived in groups on motorcycles and used different weapons during the two incidents, including daggers and iron rods.
The exact roles of each of the 11 accused are being investigated.
Accused produced before court
All 11 accused were produced before a court following their arrest.
Police said four of them, including Keerthana, have since been remanded in judicial custody. Interrogation of the remaining seven accused is continuing in police custody.
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the attacks, the involvement of each suspect and the alleged motive arising from the earlier cricket match dispute.
The case remains under investigation.