Koppal, 8 Oct

BJP Yuva Morcha president of Gangavati, Venkatesh Kurubara, 34, was brutally murdered in the early hours of dnes, reportedly due to long-standing personal enmity.

The incident occurred around 2am in the wee hours of Wednesday near Leelavati Hospital on Koppal Road when a gang in a Tata Indica (KA 01 AC 8729) rammed Venkatesh’s bike and attacked him with machetes and iron rods. He was dragged to the roadside and hacked to death. The attackers fled after their car’s tyre burst in HRS Colony, where it was later recovered along with deadly weapons.

Venkatesh was returning from dinner with friends after attending a religious event. His friend Ramu, an eyewitness, said the gang threatened and chased them before attacking Venkatesh.

Police have arrested four accused: Bhima, 23; Salim, 21; Vijay, 25; and Dhanraj Rao, 24. Two more are absconding. 

Police said that a Tata Indica, said to be used by the assailants, had been recovered.  It is said that the assailants were trying to flee to Bangalore in the car before the vehicle had to be abandoned due to a tyre burst. 
Koppal SP Ram L Arasiddhi confirmed the murder stemmed from a 2003 police case in which Venkatesh helped arrest key suspects linked to Ravi, who held a grudge ever since.

Venkatesh’s father, Hampanya Jantakal, said Ravi had previously threatened his son over WhatsApp in 2024. A case was filed at Gangavati Nagar Police Station, but Venkatesh lived in fear since, constantly moving and staying with friends. One of them, Prajwal, was also injured and hospitalised.

A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police are reviewing CCTV footage and continuing their investigation.

Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra expressed deep condolences and called the killing heartbreaking.