The Hindu : Front Page : Mob targets lodge on murder issue

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Monday, Nov 16, 2009
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Mob targets lodge on murder issue

Staff Reporter

Owner and three others arrested

‘Venkatesh Reddy had business relations with Anand’
Traffic on Hosur Road was severely affected

BANGALORE: A lodge on Hosur Road here was vandalised by a mob, which set rooms ablaze on Sunday after suspecting the role of the lodge owner in the murder of a real estate agent. The mob’s act left the occupants of the lodge terrorised, while the movement of traffic on the road was affected for over two hours.

The group that comprised about 40 people, enraged over the murder of Anand (34), a resident of Bannahalli near Hebbagodi, attacked Vishnu Lodge, located adjacent to Narayana Hrudayalaya around 10 a.m. after news spread that the police were questioning the lodge owner, Venkatesh Reddy, and three others in connection with the murder.

The mob broke the window panes and set afire mattresses and other articles kept in 30 rooms.

The Hebbagodi police said that Anand was reported missing from his house on November 10, and his charred body was found on Sunday. The police have been questioning several persons, including Venkatesh Reddy, his brother Srinivas Reddy, their car driver Manjunath and a lodge employee also named Manjunath.

The police said that Venkatesh Reddy maintained business relations with Anand and that they were suspecting his role in the murder.

All the four have been arrested following the discovery of Anand’s body.

Even as news of the police questioning Venkatesh Reddy spread, enraged residents of Bannahalli came in six vehicles and started damaging the glass panes at the entrance of the four-storeyed building. Then they entered each of the 30 rooms and set articles on fire. They left the scene after setting on fire the kitchen and a jeep owned by Venkatesh Reddy.

Chaos

Members of six families whose relatives have been admitted to Narayana Hrudayalaya were staying at the lodge. “Hearing their screams, we went to the rooms and rescued them,” said Ashfaq Khan, one of many local residents who witnessed the destruction. The occupants who suffered minor injuries were treated at a private hospital.

Some other occupants had to be rescued by the Fire and Emergency Services personnel, who used ropes and ladders to bring them out of the building as the reception area had been set on fire.

Following the attack, traffic on Hosur Road was affected. Heavy vehicles were found parked by the side of the national highway and some motorists coming to the city were seen taking alternative roads, leading to Sarjapur and Bannerghatta.

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