Owner stabs tenant to death over property dispute

timesofindia

BANGALORE: Fayaz, 24, a lemon trader and resident of Someshwara Nagar slum, was fatally stabbed by his neighbour during a brawl late Sunday night.

Fayaz’s father Babu from Tamil Nadu had married a Muslim woman and settled down in Someshwara Nagar slum. The family had been living for many years in a rented house owned by Venkatesh. A few years ago, Babu deserted the family and lived separately. Fayaz was living with his mother, wife and brother-in-law Murugan.

Police sources said Venkatesh’s son Joseph, who is an autorickshaw driver, had recently sold the house in which Fayaz’s family was living for Rs 14 lakh to Fayaz who had put together his savings and also availed of a huge loan.

But Venkatesh, in whose name the property is registered, refused to honour the deal and said Joseph had no right to sell the house. Joseph’s father refused to sign the registration papers.

The issue had been the bone of contention between the two families. While Fayaz demanded the house be transferred to his name, Joseph’s father demanded they vacate the house. Fayaz had been asking Joseph to at least pay back Rs 14 lakh or at least convert that into a loan, and pay a monthly interest.

On Sunday evening, Fayaz had a bitter fight with Joseph on the same issue. Joseph was drunk and assaulted Fayaz. Soon, Fayaz’s brother-in-law Murugan and another cousin Vijay joined the brawl and assaulted Joseph.

In a fit of rage, Joseph picked up a kitchen knife lying nearby and stabbed Fayaz repeatedly in the chest. He also stabbed Fayaz’s cousin Vijay, who tried rescuing Fayaz, in his abdomen.

Murugan rushed Fayaz and Vijay to a nearby private hospital where Fayaz was declared brought dead. Vijay is undergoing treatment and is out of danger. Siddapura police arrested Joseph within hours of the crime, registered a murder case and an attempt to murder case against him.

This article originally appeared on  timesofindia