Bengaluru man lures brother with job offer, murders him in car and dumps body near lake

Bengaluru police have solved a fratricide case involving 24-year-old Dhanaraj, allegedly murdered by his brother and two friends.

Published on: Nov 22, 2025, 07:51:52 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Bengaluru police have uncovered a chilling case of fratricide after the body of a 24-year-old man was found dumped near a lake earlier this month.

What initially appeared to be an unexplained death has now unraveled into a premeditated murder allegedly carried out by the victim’s own elder brother, with the help of two friends.

According to a report by NDTV, Dhanaraj (24) was killed inside a car by his brother Shivaraj (28), a cab driver from Kalaburagi district, along with two accomplices, Sandeep (24) and Prashanth (26).

(Also Read: Major breakthrough in Bengaluru ATM cash heist case after police constable detained: Report )

Police said the brothers had a long, troubled history, with Dhanaraj frequently involved in violent outbursts, thefts, drinking, and fights, behaviour that had caused repeated distress to both family members and neighbours, the report added.

Police said Dhanaraj lived with his parents in Kalaburagi and had a pattern of assaulting them during confrontations. He had also allegedly attacked Shivaraj several times. Locals had complained about Dhanaraj’s involvement in thefts, including stealing mobile phones and livestock.

Unable to cope with the continuous harassment, Shivaraj allegedly decided to eliminate his brother. On November 2, he called Dhanaraj to Bengaluru on the pretext of helping him find a job. The three accused picked him up from the Bannerghatta–NICE Road stretch. While Dhanaraj was seated in the front and distracted by his phone, Sandeep and Prashanth allegedly grabbed him from behind. Police say Shivaraj then struck him on the neck with a machete, killing him on the spot, the NDTV report added.

The trio dumped the body along the Bannerghatta–Kaggalipura road and disposed of the car’s bloodstained floor mat and the murder weapon near the Electronic City–NICE Road.

On November 6, the decomposed body was found, initially raising suspicions of an unnatural death but not necessarily homicide. The breakthrough came when CCTV footage from a nearby private company captured the vehicle stopping and the body being dragged out. Bannerghatta police traced the car’s registration number and arrested all three accused.

A murder case has been registered, and the accused have been remanded to judicial custody.

(Also Read: Bengaluru pothole death: 46-year-old woman falls off bike, run over by truck )

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.