Medical Shop Owner Hacked to Death in Public View in Bengaluru
A 37- or 40-year-old medical shop owner was hacked to death by four men in public view on Madiwala Main Road in Bengaluru on Saturday night, according to multiple reports. The victim, identified as Suheil (also spelled as Suhail or Suhail Mohammed), was a resident of Mangammanapalya and ran a medical shop in Bommanahalli.
The incident occurred around 9:45 pm or 10 pm when Suheil was travelling from Madiwala towards Koramangala on his two-wheeler. He was stopped at a traffic signal or caught in a traffic jam when four assailants on two motorcycles surrounded him and attacked him with swords and machetes. The attackers continued the assault in front of motorists and pedestrians before fleeing, leaving behind the weapons. Suheil suffered severe injuries and died at the spot due to excessive blood loss.
Police have registered a murder case at the Madiwala police station and formed three special teams to track down the suspects. Senior police officers, including DCP Mohammad Sujeetha, CCB DCP Haribabu, and Joint Commissioner Ramesh Banoth, visited the crime scene and reviewed the investigation. Police have seized CCTV footage and DVRs from the area and are analysing the attackers' movements. They are also probing why Suheil travelled towards Madiwala when his medical store was in Bommanahalli and who contacted him shortly before the murder.
Suspected Revenge Motive
Police suspect the murder was a revenge killing linked to the murder of Shabbir, a repeat offender, at Bandepalya on January 13. Suheil's brothers — Kaleem (also spelled Khalim) and Nazir, along with another associate — were accused in that case. While Kaleem was jailed, Nazir was released on bail about a month ago, according to reports. Suheil himself had no known criminal background and was not directly involved in the Shabbir murder case. However, police are investigating the possibility that he was targeted because of his brothers. One report also noted that Suheil had allegedly provided financial support to his brother for the murder, which could have been the motive.
Initially, police suspected the attack was retaliation for Shabbir's murder, but The Times of India reported that police now believe Suheil was killed by another gang with whom he had enmity. Hindustan Times quoted Madiwala police inspector B Sathish as saying, "We suspect that the murder may have been planned in advance, we are examining whether the accused had been tracking Suheil's movements before carrying out the attack." The inspector also said three special teams were formed to trace the suspects who are hiding in Tamil Nadu.
Attack Details and Witnesses
The attack took place in full public view. The victim was travelling with a friend named Saif, who was in the rider's seat of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, according to The Times of India. When the attackers surrounded them, Suheil fell onto an adjacent scooter. Three two-wheeler owners left their vehicles and ran from the spot to save themselves, and Saif also fled. The attackers, their faces covered with masks, left after confirming that Suheil was dead.
Lokmat Times reported that the incident raised fresh concerns over the safety of residents in Bengaluru. Suheil's younger brother Nazir reportedly arrived at the scene and vowed revenge, saying Suheil was like a father to him. Family members gathered at the spot and told police they would not spare anyone involved.
Investigation and Legal Action
The case was registered under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to The Times of India. A senior officer told the newspaper, "We have detained a few suspects in the case and have subjected them to questioning." Traffic on Hosur Road and surrounding roads was disrupted due to the murder.
Police are examining whether the attack was planned in advance and whether the gang had been monitoring Suheil's movements. They are also verifying phone records and other technical evidence to establish the motive and identify those involved.
Suheil is survived by his wife and children, as reported by The Times of India.