₹2 crore contract to kill Karnataka MLA Sathish Reddy? Police refute allegations, but arrest 4

After initial investigations, the police said the allegations were being used to gain political mileage. However, they initiated a new probe.

ByBellie Thomas

Published Feb 15, 2023 | 10:01 PMUpdatedFeb 15, 2023 | 10:02 PM

Rowdy Wilson Garden Naga and MLA M Sathis Reddy

The police in Bengaluru have registered a case against a history-sheeter and his accomplices for allegedly taking a contract to “eliminate” the Bommanahalli constituency MLA Sathish Reddy M earlier this week.

The South East Division police, suspecting that it was a gimmick ahead of the upcoming elections, took up a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR), based on a complaint by the MLA’s personal assistant Harish Babu.

However, Babu approached a Bengaluru court and filed a private complaint, after which the court directed the jurisdictional Bommanahalli police to register an FIR and investigate.

Though the NCR was registered on 11 February, an FIR was subsequently registered based on a complaint by Babu alleging that he had information from one of his friends about the “supari” — contract money for illegal work — being paid to a rowdy and his associates to kill Sathish Reddy.

Babu in his complaint also stated that his friend — identified as one Chandru from Bommanahalli — informed him that he received the information through his contact (Byresh) that one Akash from Holalkere and a notorious rowdy sheeter from Wilson Garden identified as Wilson Garden Naga had taken ₹2 crore supari to kill MLA Satish Reddy.

Babu also submitted a couple of phone audio conversations with the police to substantiate his claims.

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The police action

Reacting to the complaint, a senior police officer told South First it was based on the court’s direction that an FIR was registered against Naga, Akash, and others.

The police, after conducting inquiries, termed the allegations as mere speculation and said it was being used to gain undue political mileage.

However, they initiated another set of inquiries and are trying to trace Akash and Naga, who have now gone absconding.

The police have taken four persons into custody and are said to be questioning them.

Reacting to the case, Sathish Reddy said that it was a politically-motivated incident.

“Four persons have already been picked up by the police, who are questioning them about their role and who had paid the supari. I got to know two of their names — Akash and one Girish,” he told South First.

He further said that he had brought this to the notice of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Home Minister taking, who have assured him an enhanced security cover.

“I refused the security cover as I am not scared and I am doing honest politics,“ the MLA said.

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