Mandya murder twist: Victim was not the target

Mandya: A shocking twist has emerged in the murder of 29-year-old Sunil from Chunchaganahalli, who was brutally hacked to death at K Honnalagere on May 19.

With the arrest of three accused, police investigations revealed that Sunil was not the intended target but became an unintended victim of a plot allegedly aimed at a relative of the accused.

According to police, the sequence of events began inside a bar where Sunil picked an argument with Nishanth and his associates from Ajjahalli. The heated exchange escalated into a quarrel, forcing the bar staff to intervene and ask Nishanth’s group to leave the premises. After stepping out, Nishanth and his friends reportedly parked their car a short distance away and continued drinking inside the vehicle.

A short while later, Sunil allegedly went to the same spot and again picked a fight with the group, police said. In the ensuing clash, Nishanth’s associates allegedly attacked Sunil with lethal weapons kept inside the car, leading to his death.

During the investigation, police found that the weapons were not originally brought to target Sunil. Nishanth had borrowed Rs 5 lakh from his relative Ashok and was under pressure to repay the amount. Angered by repeated demands for repayment, Nishanth and his associates allegedly invited Ashok to the bar for drinks and carried the weapons with the intention of threatening him.

However, before Ashok could arrive, the confrontation with Sunil broke out. Enraged and under the influence of alcohol, the accused allegedly turned their fury on Sunil and murdered him on the spot. Investigators said Sunil ultimately became the victim of a plan that was originally intended for Ashok.

Maddur police, who launched a search operation after the murder, have arrested Nishanth, Ravi and Karthik. Further investigation is underway.