Mysuru:  The Mysuru South Rural Police have arrested a 36-year-old man on charges of murdering two women and attempting to murder another two women. He is also accused of stealing hundis and valuables of seven temples. His modus operandi is to befriend lonely women, take them to a secluded place, hit them with iron rod and rob them of their gold jewellery.

The accused has been identified as Nagendra, son of Mahadevanayaka of Thumbunerale village in Nanjangud. Mahadevanayaka is the former Member of GP and Nagendra is a PU Science dropout from Maharaja’s College in Mysuru.

Incidents of two elderly women being murdered and murder attempts on other two women since the last one year proved a big headache for the South Police. They formed a special team and were able to nab Nagendra three days back. He has been produced before the Court and as his judicial custody ends tomorrow, the Police will seek his Police custody for further interrogation.

In February last year, Nagendra had murdered 50-year-old Anantha Lakshmi of Gommatagiri near Bilikere. She was befriended by Nagendra and one day when she was returning from a temple after performing pujas, he led her to a secluded place and hit her head with an iron rod. Confirming that she was dead, Nagendra removed her 40-gram gold chain and fled the spot.

Nagendra did not stop at that. In April last year, he attacked Parvathamma of Savarahalli village near Bilikere. She was waiting near a shop to purchase a gas cylinder when Nagendra approached her and conversed in a friendly manner. With an alibi of helping her, Nagendra took her to a secluded spot and used an iron rod to hit her. He then stole her 35-gram gold chain.

However, Parvathamma did not die and later screamed for help. She was rushed to a hospital and she gave Nagendra’s description to the Police that helped them arrest him.

After robbing Parvathamma, Nagendra, in June last year, attacked Philomena Mary from Maradoor village in Hunsur taluk near Bilikere. She owned a Nandini Milk Parlour and Nagendra used to buy milk products from there. After gaining the confidence of Mary, Nagendra attacked her using the same modus operandi and stole her 40-gram gold chain. Mary died after the brutal assault.

Days after attacking Mary, Nagendra targeted Nanjamma of Hosa Hundi village. He befriended her while she was walking on the road, dragged her into a bush where he assaulted her. He fled with her 55-gram gold chain. Fortunately,  Nanjamma survived.

Based on the description provided by the victims, the Police arrested Nagendra. Interrogation revealed that Nagendra was also involved in seven temple thefts reported at Marati Kyathanahalli, Jayapura, Kergalli, Kavalande and other areas. He stole hundis (offerings box) and other temple valuables.

The Police have booked 11 cases and have recovered 185 grams of gold ornaments from him. The team worked under the supervision of Mysuru SP Ravi D. Channannavar, Additional                                          SP N. Rudramuni and ASP Arunamshu Giri.

Mysuru South Inspector Karim Ravathar, Jayaprakash, Ashoka, Jahoor Ahmed, Mahesh, Harish, Sunil and Raju were part of   the team.