Mangaluru: Four, including three brothers, sentenced to life in 2014 Gangadhar Pangala murder case

Mangaluru: Four, including three brothers, sentenced to life in 2014 Gangadhar Pangala murder case

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jul 28, 2026: The 2nd Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru on Monday sentenced four persons, including three brothers, to life imprisonment for the 2014 murder of Mogaveera community leader Gangadhar Pangala, bringing an end to a 12-year-old case.

The convicted are Sathish Baikampady (57), his brothers Harish Baikampady (61) and Bhaskar Baikampady (63), all residents of Meenakaliya, and Pushparaj (47), a resident of Shivalli in Udupi district.

According to a press release issued by the Mangaluru City Police, the incident took place on May 15, 2014, near the Ganesh Shipping godown at Meenakaliya under the Panambur police station limits. Though the case was initially registered as a fatal road accident, the investigation later revealed it to be a premeditated murder.

Motive behind the murder

Police said Sathish Baikampady held Gangadhar responsible for his suspension from the Baikampady Mogaveera Mahasabha. Driven by this longstanding grudge, Sathish, along with the other accused, allegedly conspired to eliminate Gangadhar.

On the day of the incident, the accused followed Gangadhar’s scooter in a Bolero vehicle and deliberately rammed into it from behind. After ensuring that Gangadhar had suffered fatal head and body injuries and died on the spot, they fled the scene.

Investigation and sentence

The investigation was initially handled by police inspectors N.R. Mukri, Bhaskar Rai and Ravish Nayak before police inspector Lokesh A.C. completed the probe and filed the charge sheet. Public prosecutor Jyothi Pramod Nayak represented the prosecution, while Judge Jagadeesh V.N. delivered the verdict on July 27.

Sathish, Harish and Bhaskar were convicted under Sections 302, 120 and 109 read with Section 34 of the IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 15,000 each. Pushparaj was convicted under Sections 302 and 120 read with Section 34 and awarded life imprisonment with a Rs 15,000 fine. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional one year of simple imprisonment.

The court also sentenced all four accused to two years of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each under Section 201 read with Section 34 of the IPC for destruction of evidence. Non-payment of the fine will attract an additional one month of imprisonment.

The court directed that Rs 50,000 from the total fine amount be paid as compensation to Gangadhar’s daughter, while the remaining amount will be forfeited to the government.

The Bolero, Ritz and Maruti cars used in the commission of the crime have also been ordered to be confiscated and forfeited to the government.

Following the verdict, all four convicts were remanded to judicial custody.