A 50-year-old home appliances shop owner was killed by his cousin after the latter's demand to start a separate business in Bengaluru's JP Nagar 7th Phase.
The victim was identified as Raju Singh, who lived in Bengaluru for more than three decades. Hari Singh, 41, his cousin, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder, according to the police-based report published by The New Indian Express.
The incident took place on Tuesday evening, September 22, when Raju was reportedly alone at his shop. Hari went to the premises and got into an argument with him before assaulting him.
The attack took place between 7.20 pm and 7.45 pm, the police chief said. Raju received severe injuries to his head and face and died on the spot, he said.
Dispute over opening a separate shop
Hari had been working with Raju since 2006, the report says. The two were relatives and business associates.
Hari had been asking Raju to help him open a separate shop, police said. He wanted Raju to help arrange the investment required to start the business.
Raju had asked Hari to wait for about a year so that the required funds could be arranged. But the delay became a source of repeated arguments between the two.
According to police, the two had been arguing for about three days before the fatal incident. They had been quarrelling, the police said.
The dispute started on Tuesday evening when Hari went to the shop while Raju was alone. An argument erupted, following which Hari allegedly assaulted him.
A separate report by Puttenahalli police said the shop was located at Ganga Industries in JP Nagar 7th Phase. Hari repeatedly asked Raju to help him start another business, while Raju had sought longer time to arrange the investment.
Accused Allegedly Informed Victim's Daughter
After the alleged assault, Hari told Raju's daughter about what had happened before fleeing from the location.
When the daughter came into the shop, she said she found her father lying in a pool of blood. He had serious injuries to his head and face.
Raju died by the time family members and others reacted to the incident, the report said.
The police then looked into it.
Hari was arrested by police on Wednesday, one day after the murder. The investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances of the fatal attack, the police said.
Police Investigate Fatal Family Dispute.
The case has demonstrated how relatives and business associates’ arguments between them allegedly turned into a fatal blow-up.
Raju had been running his business in Bengaluru for almost 30 years. Hari had worked with him since 2006, the newspaper reported. Their long working relationship was reportedly strained over the decision to open a separate shop.
Police are investigating the allegations against Hari, including the circumstances of the assault and the events immediately before and after Raju’s death.
The exact weapon, if any, used in the alleged assault and other details about the investigation were not given in the initial report. Details will be shared as the police investigation continues.
The incident took place in JP Nagar 7th Phase, a residential and commercial quarter in south Bengaluru. The murder supposedly took place in the victim's shop while he was alone.
The arrest is the latest step in the investigation, but more investigation and legal action will follow.
Police will collect further evidence and statements related to Raju Singh’s death.
