Mangaluru: The BJP has filed a Rs 1 Crore defamation suit against former chief minister H D Kumarswamy here on January 9 for alleging its role in the murder of Deepak Rao in Katipalla.

BJP North unit President Dr. Bharath Shetty, addressing a press meet on January 9 said that HDK had accused of BJP leaders’ involvement in the murder of Deepak Rao in Katipalla.”Through a local leader Farooq, HDK has made false allegations against the BJP”, he claimed.

It may be recalled that HDK on January 8 had said that he had received information regarding BJP’s involvement in the brutal killing of Deepak Rao.

Deepak Rao, a youth from Katipalla was hacked to death on January 3. As a repercussion, Basheer, a canteen owner from the region was assaulted. Basheer succumbed to injuries two days after the attack.