A BJP zilla panchayat member was hacked to death by a group of men at a gym in Dharwad on Wednesday, police said.
The deceased has been identified as Yogeesh Goudar, a member of the Hebballi constituency, police said.
He sustained injuries on the head and neck after being attacked with lethal weapons, they said, adding that a special team has been formed to probe the case.
Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar demanded an “impartial” probe into the incident. He also expressed “doubts” about a political conspiracy behind the murder.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, state home minister G Parameshwara said: “Investigation is on in this murder. I have directed officials to nab the culprits as soon as possible. One suspicion is that there was a land dispute he was involved in.”
Dharwad district in-charge minister Vinay Kulkarni said the chief minister was aware of the incident.
“Investigation is going on and action will be taken against those involved,” he said.
Asked about a tiff some Congress leaders had with him during the local body elections recently, he said: “During elections, blame game is common from both sides, but that should not be counted as enmity.”
{{/usCountry}}Asked about a tiff some Congress leaders had with him during the local body elections recently, he said: “During elections, blame game is common from both sides, but that should not be counted as enmity.”
{{/usCountry}}His brother was also murdered by a group of men few years ago.