Bagappa Harijana (42) shot at, at Vijayapura court in broad daylight. An unidentified man wished Bagappa saying “Namaskara Sahebra” and shot five bullets at him. Harijana was immediately taken to the BLDE Hospital where surgeons removed all 4 bullets. A special squad has been set up headed by CPI Sunil Kamble.
Guns have resounded again at Bhima River banks after a long time of silence. This time at the district court of Vijayapura, in broad daylight, Bagappa Harijana (42) has been shot at, when he arrived in connection with the hearing of a murder case, reported Kannada Prabha.
An unidentified man wished Bagappa Harijana on his arrival at the court in a Scorpio, along with his associates, saying “Namaskara Sahebra” and shot five bullets at him. Of them 4 bullets landed in Harijana’s body. The shooter immediately escaped by jumping the compound wall of the court. Harijana was immediately taken to the BLDE Hospital where surgeons removed all 4 bullets. His condition is said to be critical.
The shooter was first walking after shooting but when publi called out that he was the one who shot, he started running. He then jumped the court compound wall and escaped. It is said that he had come in a Pulsar bike to the court with associates and as soon as he escaped the Pulsar bike also left the premises. The entire episode was completed within 15 minutes. The shooter was wearing a red shirt and black pant.
Kuladeepkumar Jain, Vijayapura SP, said miscreants arrived in Pulsar bike and shot Bagappa Harijana. 4 bullets hit him and have been removed. Police are searching for the miscreants. Naka bandi has been ordered at main roads of the City and search is on. A separate squad has been organised to hunt the shooter.
Bagappa Harijana is the right hand man of the notorious Chandappa Harijana, who was killed in 2000 in police encounter. In 2014 Chandappa Harijana’s brother Basavaraja Harijana was murdered and Bagappa Harijana was the main suspect. Police had arrested him and he was recently released on bail. On Tuesday he was attending 2nd additional court at Vijayapura. He arrived with 4 of his associates at 10.30 am in a Scorpio.
He asked his associates to park the vehicle and was walking towards the court hall alone. At 10.40 a man arrived from the bike parking lot and greeted him asking “Namaskara Sahebra, hegiddiri?” (Namaskara Saheb, how are you?) Bagappa returned his wish and took 2 steps. The man took out his pistol from a bag and shot five times at Bagappa.
Bagappa fell down after the first bullet hit him. One bullet hit the ground and the other 3 hit Bagappa near the heart and stomach. People ran helter skelter at hearing the gunshots. Bagappa’s associates also ran way on seeing Bagappa being shot at. It was police and public who lifted Bagappa and took him to the hospital. District SP Kuladeep Kumar Jain and other senior police officials visited the spot. A case has been registered at the Jalanagar police station.
It is not yet found out who is the shooter. A special squad has been set up headed by CPI Sunil Kamble. Naka Bandi has been announced and all vehicles are being checked.
Bagappa has been admitted into BLDE Hospital. A team of surgeons headed by Dr VIjayakumar operated upon him and removed all the 4 bullets. His condition is said to be critical. Police have arranged strict vigilance and visitors are not allowed.
Strangely, there were no CCTV cameras in the court premises. Hence there is no evidence of the shoot out. The district lawyers were agitated by this and they have decided to boycott court proceedings on Wednesday to protest.
