VIJAYAPURA: Notorious gangster Bhagaapa Harijan, once a feared figure in the underworld of north Karnataka, was found murdered on Tuesday night near his rented house in Madina Nagar, located within the limits of the Gandhi Square police station in Karnataka.
Bagappa was a close relative and associate of Chandappa Harijan, who was a most feared gangster in the region in the 1990s.
Authorities confirmed that he was attacked with sharp weapons, and the police suspect the involvement of a group of 4-5 assailants.
Vijayapura SP Laxman Nimbargi stated, “We received information at 9:20 pm about the incident. Upon reaching the site with a forensic team, we confirmed that Bagappa was killed near his residence. We believe multiple attackers were involved, though the exact number remains unclear.” Nimbargi further added, “Bagappa had over ten criminal cases against him, including attempted murder and violations under the Arms Act. Our team is working tirelessly to apprehend the culprits.”
He mentioned that it was a well-planned attack. “Bagappa had a record of 10 cases against him including six murders and an attempt of murder, and a case under Arms Act. He was residing in a rented house in the city. His history started from 1999 and he was active in criminal activities till 2017” he stated.
Sources in police said that they are collecting the details like who else was there in Bagappa’s home, whether power supply interrupted, was any information shared to culprits about his movement.
Bagappa came into light after the death of his relative gangster Chandappa Harijan who was encountered by police in Maharashtra in 2000. He had opened fire at police in the same year.
He was shot at sessions court premises in Vijayapura on Aug 07, 2017, but survived after treatment at Hyderabad.
Contract killer Peerappa Hadapad was allegedly hired by Chandappa’s son Bhimasya to finish Bagappa. Later he had gone underworld. He had expressed wish of living common life but had alleged that associates of Chandappa Harijan were not leaving him to do so.
Long history of violence and rivalries
The murder of Bhagaapa Harijan adds to the long history of gang violence that has plagued the Bheema river basin region, which spans several villages across Vijayapura and Kalaburagi districts.
Harijan was a key player in a brutal gang rivalry that dates back to the 1990s, initially centered in Chadchan before spreading to surrounding areas such as Umrani, Almel, and Afzalpur.
This rivalry saw the rise of bloodthirsty gangsters, notably the Harijans, who were involved in numerous criminal activities, including murder, arms trafficking, and supari killings (contract killings).
Bhagaapa Harijan, known for his ruthlessness, took over the infamous gang after the police encounter of his relative, Chandappa Harijan, in May 2000.
Under Bagappa’s leadership, the gang’s violence escalated, culminating in the murder of his own relative, Basavaraj Harijan, in 2014, carried out in a public, filmi-style execution.
Over the years, the Bheema river region became infamous for its illegal arms trade, with Bagappa at the forefront of trafficking country-made pistols and offering mercenaries for hire.
It is believed that local politicians and police officials may have turned a blind eye to the activities of such gangsters, allowing their operations to continue unchecked for years.
The fall of Bhagappa
In 2007, Bagappa’s reign came to a halt when he was arrested in Pune by the Kalaburagi police.
Although he narrowly escaped death in an attack in August 2024, when a relative of a slain gangster attempted to kill him at the Vijayapura district court, Bagappa’s legacy of terror remains etched in the region’s history.
Despite this, Vijayapura SP Kuldeep Kumar Jain has expressed optimism about the end of gang wars, asserting that most of the notorious gangsters have either been killed or jailed, with no indication of further bloodshed.
However, some fear that the calm in the area may be temporary, as long-standing rivalries remain unresolved.
