Mangaluru: Notorious Dandupalya gang member arrested after 29 years in double murder case

Mangaluru: Notorious Dandupalya gang member arrested after 29 years in double murder case

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, January 23, 2026: A notorious member of the infamous “Dandupalya gang,” who had been absconding for 29 years in connection with a double murder case, has been arrested by the Mangaluru–Urwa police in Andhra Pradesh.

The accused, identified as Chikka Hanuma alias Chikka Hanumanthappa, was wanted in connection with a double murder case registered in 1997 under the Urwa Police Station limits. After remaining underground for nearly three decades, he was traced and arrested in Madanapalle of Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh.

According to police, on the midnight of October 11, 1997, members of the notorious Dandupalya gang—Dodd Hanuma (Hanumavenkatesh), Chandra Munikrishna (Krishna), Nallathimma (Timma) and others—barged into a house named Anwar Mahal near Urwa Marigudi Cross in Mangaluru taluk. The gang brutally murdered Ranjit Vegas (80) and Louis D’Mello (19) and fled with gold ornaments.

The trial court had initially convicted five accused and awarded them the death penalty. However, following appeals in the High Court, the sentences were later set aside and the cases were disposed of afresh, leading to their acquittal. It is learnt that several other cases against the gang are still pending across Karnataka. Notably, Chikka Hanuma’s case had not been disposed of, and he continued to be absconding.

In Urwa Police Station Crime No. 113/1997, registered under Sections 460, 396 and 400 of the IPC, Chikka Hanuma (Accused No. 6), a resident of Dandupalya village, Hoskote taluk, originally from B.K. Palli, Madanapalle, Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh, had been evading arrest for 29 years. The Urwa police arrested him in Madanapalle and produced him before the court, which has remanded him to judicial custody.

Police said the accused had cleverly changed his name to Chikka Hanumanthappa K. Krishnappa and lived in Andhra Pradesh to avoid arrest and court proceedings. A Long Pending Case (LPC) warrant had been issued against him in 2010 by the Hon’ble JMFC II Court, Mangaluru. It is also learnt that around 13 murder and robbery cases are registered against him across Karnataka, and further details are being collected.

The successful operation was carried out by Urwa Police Inspector Shyam Sundar H.M., PSI Gurappa Kanti, PSI L. Manjula, ASI Vinay Kumar, and staff members Lalithalakshmi, Anil, Pramod, Atmanand and Harish. The Mangaluru City Police Commissioner has appreciated the team’s efforts and informed that a recommendation has been sent to the Karnataka DGP & IGP for a suitable reward.