Bengaluru: BJP activist Santosh was hacked to death owing to personal rivalry, said the City Crime Branch (CCB) police, after preliminary investigation of assailants, thus ruling out communal and political angle in the crime.

Wasim and his friends named Philip, Irfan and Umer were nabbed by the police in connection with the murder. City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar had handed over the case to CCB, a day after the incident. After quizzing the four, CCB has handed over the accused to police.

Wasim and his friends were trading drugs (marijuana) illegally and Santosh is understood to have questioned them over their deals. Unhappy with Santosh’s meddling, an enraged Wasim was plotting Santosh’s murder during the last three months after warning the latter of dire consequences, according to a senior police official in the department, who refused to reveal his identity.

Wasim was involved in a bitter quarrel with Santosh’s brother few days before the murder. Santosh’s quarrel with Wasim’s cousin, a day prior to the murder worsened the scenario, and ultimately led to his killing, he added.

It may be recalled that a 28-year-old worker of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named Santosh was stabbed to death by four assailants at Chinnappa Garden in J C Nagar police limits during late hours on January 31st.

Santhosh was killed while having tea at a bakery by the four accused. After stabbing him several times they fled the scene. Santhosh was rushed to a private hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

CCB have seized the knife used in the crime from the accused and ruled out the possibility of employing screw driver in the crime.

The accused will be produced in the court after completing the investigation. A charge sheet will be filed against them in a month or two analysing the scope of investigation.