It was a regular drive against helmetless riders in Chikkaballapura. Traffic Police Officer Venu was deployed at MG Road in the town on Monday and was carrying out the drive as per orders. At around 5 pm, tired of arguing with traffic violators and handing them tickets, officer Venu spotted a youth speeding on a two-wheeler and riding without a helmet. He immediately asked him to pull over.
The man did not protest and he got off the motorbike. Officer Venu then asked him to furnish his license and pay a fine of Rs 100. However, the man allegedly fished out a knife from his pocket instead. He allegedly told officer Venu, “I am sorry sir, but I just stabbed my friend. I got onto the bike in a trance and was on my way to the police station to surrender. I am sorry for not wearing a helmet.”
“I remember getting angry and I questioned him as to why he was pointing a knife at me. He was very calm and nonchalant about it. I was taken aback. I did not know how to react to it for a few seconds. The knife was covered in blood. I seized the knife and detained him,” officer Venu said.
The youth was 26-year-old Sandeep Shetty, a native of Udupi, who had moved to Chikkaballapura to start a business a few years ago.
According to officials at the Chikkaballapura Town Police, Sandeep allegedly confessed to have stabbed his friend and business partner Devaraj on Monday evening.
“In 2016, Devaraj had approached Sandeep and asked him for Rs 1 lakh. Devaraj had promised Sandeep that he would invest the money in land. He planned to sell the land when the prices increased so the duo could make profits. But two years on, Devaraj did not return the Rs 1 lakh, nor did he purchase any property,” Chikkaballapura deputy SP Prabhushankar said.
For over a year, Sandeep had allegedly been waiting for Devaraj to return the money. On Monday, Sandeep confronted Devaraj at his residence. Devaraj allegedly told Sandeep that he would not return the money.
“Both of them got into an argument and Devaraj was heard screaming at Sandeep by the shopkeepers near his house. That was when Sandeep fished out the knife and stabbed Devaraj in the back and stomach,” he added.
Sandeep got on to his motorbike and sped away. Devaraj’s neighbours and the shop owners nearby rushed to his house when they heard him screaming for help. He was rushed to a local private hospital and later transported to a private hospital in Bengaluru where he is currently undergoing treatment. DySP Prabhushanka said that Devaraj is out of danger and is recovering currently.
A case of attempted murder has been registered against Sandeep at the Chikkaballapura Town Police Station.