Auto driver kills friend after a verbal duel

NT Correspondent

An autorickshaw driver killed his friend following an altercation in Nandini Layout police station limits on Wednesday. The accused, Ravi Kumar, a resident of Narasimha Swamy Layout and Vishwanath, 39, of Vidyaranyapura were close friends. The police investigations revealed that recently Vishwanath had lent money to Ravi Kumar to buy a new auto rickshaw.

Though Ravi Kumar had agreed to pay him a certain amount every month, he soon began defaulting on his payments. The police said they often used to indulge in verbal abuse over the issue.

Another issue that angered Ravi, was Vishwanath striking a friendship with his wife. On the pretext of demanding his dues, Vishwanath used to frequent Ravi’s house, and he became friends with the latter’s wife.

On Wednesday around 10 am, Vishwanath visited Ravi’s house. A senior official from Nandini Layout police station said. “The accused, who had gone on his usual trips, returned home early that day to find Vishwanath talking to his wife. Enraged, he started abusing Vishwanath for entering his house in his absence. The verbal scuffle soon turned violent and the accused dragged him out of his house,” the official said.

The two started abusing each other and later Ravi attacked Vishwanath on his neck using a knife and a blade in full public view. Vishwanath suffered a stab injury, along with several cuts on his neck, police said.

“Seeing Vishwanath bleeding profusely, Ravi pushed him aside and escaped in his autorickshaw,” the senior official added. The police were alerted and Ravi was arrested within hours. According to police, Vishwanath had two cases running against him already in Nandini Layout Police Station. “Further investigations are on,” the police said.