The murder of Gandhinagar councillor S. Nataraj (42) on Saturday morning in full public view, which has been attributed to political rivalry, has also brought to light the threat faced by several councillors who are into the real estate business. This is just eight months after Banashankari Temple ward councillor Mohammad Ali alias Dewan Ali was gunned down by his rivals in Yarabnagar.
According to a senior police official, most councillors of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are either directly or indirectly involved in the real estate business. “In Bangalore, the land rates have seen a steep increase over the past few years. Real estate business has become a lucrative one, and most councillors are involved in it in one way or another,” the official said.
Many under threat
The official said that several councillors were also under threat as they may also be involved in money laundering and getting lucrative contracts for various development works in the city. “That apart, more than 40 per cent are under threat due to intense political rivalry. We warn them as and when we get to know about it. However, not many councillors inform the police about these threats, which makes it difficult for us,” the official claimed.
Criminal links
He also pointed out that quite a few councillors had criminal antecedents or were related to career criminals. “These councillors may be under threat due to gang clashes as well. Since the BBMP lacks basic security, the councillors may even be attacked inside the civic body's campus,” the official added.
Police officials said that several councillors, over the past year, had applied for gun licence. Sources said that even Mr. Nataraj had reportedly applied for one. “A few councillors who feel their life is under threat have appointed their own personal security. We have not received any request for protection from councillors,” he said.
M. Udayshankar, Leader of the Opposition in the BBMP council, admitted that most of councillors representing the newly added areas, cutting across party lines, were mostly into real estate business. He, however, blamed the police for failing to protect the councillors. He conceded that the security cover at the BBMP offices was inadequate.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor S. Harish said that though he had written seeking police protection, he had not received any. He also said that the BBMP would convene an all-party meeting in two days to review the security cover in the BBMP offices.
