Bantwal : A man was allegedly stabbed to death in an Innova car at Shantinagar near Nagri in Sajipa Munnur here on Sunday February 2. The accused fled from the spot soon after committing the murder, it is learnt.

The deceased has been identified as Tasleem (45), a native of Kerala who was wanted in robbery and murder cases.

His body was found in a silver coloured Innova. There were injury marks on his neck and other parts of the body, and therefore, it is suspected that he was murdered.

He was said to be a member of Kerala’s notorious Ziya gang and was an accused in several cases. In 2019, he was arrested in a robbery case registered in Bunder police station and was sent to Kalaburagi prison. He was later released on bail.

It is suspected that a rival gang might have kidnapped him, tried to strangle him and then stabbed him in the stomach, before fleeing the spot.

The car had been parked at the spot since morning. The locals who grew suspicious at this informed the police.

It is alleged that the deceased was a member of the notorious Ziya gang and was an accused in several cases. In 2017, he was the prime accused in the murder of Kalia Rafiq at Ullal. In 2019, he was arrested in a jewellery store robbery case by Bunder police and sent to Kalaburagi prison. He was later released on bail.

Sources claim that he might have been killed in revenge for Kalia Rafiq’s murder.

Bantwal circle inspector T D Nagaraj and other police personnel arrived at the spot and conducted investigation.

The body has been shifted to Wenlck mortuary.