Bengaluru: Eight people, including two minors, were held in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a real estate businessman on the outskirts of the city, police said on Thursday, March 12.

The deceased, identified as Gopal alias Gopi, a resident of Honnakalasapura village in Anekal taluk on the outskirts of Bengaluru City, was in his late 30s. He is engaged in real estate and financial business, they said.

Read here: Man kidnapped by miscreants near Bengaluru

Police had earlier arrested Mohan Babu, alleged to be the main conspirator behind the killing. He apparently believed that Gopal had performed black magic to sabotage his buisness.

"We have nabbed eight people in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Gopal from their hideout in Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu). Among them, two are minors. Efforts are being made to nab others accomplices who were also part of the conspiracy," a senior police officer said.

The case is currently being investigated by the CID team.

According to police, on Sunday, March 12, Gopal and his friend Satish were travelling in a car from Attibele towards Anekal when the incident occurred near Karpur Gate in Anekal taluk.

The assailants, who had allegedly planned the abduction, rammed the car with another vehicle to stop it.

The miscreants then allegedly sprayed a substance on Gopal and forcibly kidnapped him before fleeing the spot in another car, a senior police officer said.

Satish, who was also sprayed by the kidnappers, managed to alert Gopal's family members about the incident. The family subsequently informed the police.

"During preliminary investigation, it was found that Gopal and Mohan were both from Kalasapura village in Chikkamagaluru district and had been at loggerheads for about 10-12 years. Earlier, Gopal used to work under Mohan in real estate activities, including arranging documents and coordinating with departments as well as identifying buyers," the officer said.

Later, Gopal started working independently in the same field, which allegedly created hostility as Mohan felt Gopal was becoming a strong competitor in his business, he added.

During questioning, Mohan also claimed that Gopal had been performing black magic against him and was responsible for his ill health, though police said the truth will emerge only after deeper investigation.

Meanwhile, on Monday morning, March 12, Gopal's body was found in Hosur in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.