In a poignant moment of closure for a grieving family, a Bengaluru court has convicted two individuals for the brutal murder of a 30-year-old Infosys engineer, delivering justice exactly eight years after the crime and on what would have been the victim's 38th birthday.
The Tragic Incident
The case dates back to February 2016 when Bopanna Manikantan, a promising software engineer working with Infosys, was found murdered in his apartment in Bengaluru's Kadugodi area. The young professional had been strangled to death, sending shockwaves through the city's IT community.
Long Road to Justice
After an extensive eight-year legal battle, the 1st Additional District and Sessions Court found Mahesh and Somashekar guilty of the heinous crime. The prosecution successfully established that the duo had gained entry into Manikantan's residence under false pretenses before committing the murder.
Emotional Verdict Day
The timing of the verdict brought both tears and relief to the victim's family. "Justice has been delivered on my son's birthday," said an emotional Bopanna Muthanna, the victim's father. "This is the best birthday gift we could have received. For eight years, we've waited for this day, and finally, the court has given us closure."
Investigation Breakthrough
Police investigations revealed that the convicted men had initially approached the engineer claiming to be potential tenants interested in viewing his apartment. Once inside, they attacked and strangled Manikantan before fleeing with his valuables.
Broader Implications
This case highlights several critical issues facing urban India:
- Safety concerns for IT professionals living alone
- Effectiveness of prolonged legal processes
- The emotional toll on victims' families awaiting justice
- Security measures needed in residential complexes
The court has scheduled the hearing for sentencing arguments, bringing this tragic chapter closer to its final resolution while serving as a reminder that justice, though delayed, can eventually prevail.
