Dandupalya Gang Fugitive Arrested After 29 Years on the Run
Mangaluru : In a significant breakthrough, the Mangaluru police have apprehended a notorious fugitive linked to the infamous Dandupalya gang, a group notorious for a brutal spree of murders, rapes, and robberies that once terrorized the region.
The accused, identified as Chikka Hanuma alias Chikka Hanumanthappa, was arrested by the Urwa police after managing to evade the law for nearly three decades. The arrest has brought closure to several cold cases, with authorities attributing approximately 13 murders and numerous dacoities across the state to the fugitive.
The case that led to his eventual capture dates back to October 11, 1997. On that fateful night, the Dandupalya gang barged into a residence known as Anwar Mahal near the Urwa Marigudi Cross.
In a brutal assault, the gang hacked two family members, 80-year-old Louis D’mello and 19-year-old Ranjit Viegas, to death before fleeing with gold ornaments and valuables. The crime was carried out by an eight-member team, including Chikka Hanumanthappa.
While the trial concluded long ago and other accomplices were sentenced, Chikka Hanuman managed to slip through the cracks. Realizing the law was closing in, the accused changed his identity and went off the grid. He assumed the name K. Krishna alias Krishna to avoid detection.
Despite a Long Pending Certificate (LPC) warrant issued by the JMFC 2nd Court in Mangaluru in 2010, he remained untraceable for years. However, the net finally tightened when the Urwa police team tracked him down to Madanapalle in the Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh.
He was taken into custody recently, ending his 29-year run from justice. Following the successful operation, the Police Commissioner has commended the Urwa police team for their dedication and persistence. Recognizing the complexity of the case and the time elapsed, the Commissioner has recommended the team to the state Director General of Police (DG) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) for a suitable reward.
Also Read: Name change of MCF plant sparks outrage in Mangaluru; public, leaders protest loss of local identity
