Kannada film industry wants actor Vinod Kumar's killer punished

Bangalore, Oct 9 (IANS) The alleged murder of actor and real estate dealer Vinod Kumar by Kannada film producer and realtor Goverdhana Murthy has sent shock waves in the Kannada film industry that wants the killer punished.

Vinod Kumar died of bullet injuries Tuesday morning.

Many Kannada film artists and technicians who were close to Vinod Kumar are devastated by the death of the young actor.

Many Kannada film artists like Vijaya Raghavendra, Sree Murali and Prajwal Devaraj were close to Vinod Kumar, who had acted in 'Gulaama' directed by writer-director Ranganath.

'He (Murthy) has to be apprehended immediately and tried for his crimes,' says Vijaya Raghavendra.

Director Rangansth describes Vinod Kumar as a simple, lively person. 'He was extremely helpful and friendly. I cannot even imagine that a person can kill him without any motive. The tragic death is most unfortunate and shocking.'

Vinod Kumar had gone to a party organised by Murthy at a resort in Bagalur in Bangalore along with another realtor and Kannada film producer Shankara Reddy.

Eye-witnesses say that Murthy fired at Vinod after a drunken brawl outside the resort.

Murthy is missing and the Bangalore police have constituted three squads to arrest him.

Shankara Bidari, police commissioner of Bangalore, says that the case may be handed over the Corps of Detectives, a special investigative squad of the state police department.