A leader of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Mahasabha, one of the Hindu outfits in the state, was hacked to death near his residence in Hosur, Krishnagiri district. The incident had happened on Sunday in a broad daylight. 

According to reports, Nagaraj (45) was the state secretary of Hindu Mahasabha. Besides being at a top post of the outfit, he was also known to be a realtor and money lender. Nagaraj has gone for a walk on Sunday morning as his regular routine and when he was on his morning walk near Hanumanth Nagar near his residence around 8.30 am, a mob had surrounded him by stopping their car near him. 

A gang of six members got down and attacked him. The reports say that Nagaraj had tried to evade the spot, however, the gang had chased him and murdered him in the broad daylight in the presence of the general public. Following the crime, the gang had fled the spot. Nataraj, who suffered severe injuries in his head and abdomen, had breathed his last on the spot. 

One of the eye-witnesses had informed Hudco police station in Hosur about the crime after which the team of police officers had rushed to the spot and recovered the body and sent it to the Krishnagiri government hospital for autopsy. The probe has been launched and the police had installed six special teams to arrest the assailants.  

Superintendent of Police Bandi Gangadhar said that the reason behind the murder is yet to be ascertained. However, the police suspect that the murder could possibly due to professional enmity. According to a news agency, the preliminary inquiry had shown that there was no religious or political motive behind the crime. A police officer in the probe said that Nagaraj had a dispute in his real estate and money-lending business, which could be the reason behind the murder. 

The reports say added that Nagaraj had sought protection from the police a few months ago by stating that his life is under threat. However, the police had denied his petition seeking protection. Nagaraj was surviving by his wife, a son, and three daughters.