In a shocking incident, Ravi Kumar, the former Mayor of Tumakuru city (near Bengaluru) and Batawadi corporator was hacked to death on Sunday morning. Before stabbing him, the assailants had thrown chilly powder in his eyes and left him lying in a pool of blood.

Ravi, also known as Gadda Ravi was declared dead on arrival by doctors at the Tumakuru District Government Hospital. At the time of the attack, he was having tea and was interacting with locals about civic issues of the area. The violence took place near Batawadi Fire Station around 8 am. He failed to escape the assailants after being hit on the head.

The seven accused who were in a pick up truck are on the run. Police are yet to establish the motive behind the murder but are suspecting old rivalry.

According to the police, the JD(S) corporator was also a rowdy sheeter and was a suspect in the murder case of Hatti Manjanna, rival gang leader in 2015. Ravi was known to be a close aide of Small Scale Industries minister SR Srinivas.

Recently, Ravi’s trusted right hand man Anjanappa, also a rowdy sheeter was killed by rival gang.

Circle Inspector Ramakrishnaiah, investigating the case refused to share further details in the case. Dog squad and forensic experts have visited the crime scene. Police are trying to nab the culprits.

Meanwhile, the vehicle (Tata Ace KA 09A6484) on which the attackers came has been found abandoned near Akka Tangi Lake in the vicinity. Additional SP Shobharani who have been tasked by IGP Central Dayananda to solve the case swiftly has formed two separate probe teams.