Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Dandupalya Gang Member Arrested After 29 Years
A man named Chikka Hanuma, who was part of a notorious gang called the Dandupalya gang, was caught by the police after hiding for almost 30 years.
He was wanted for a very old case from 1997 where two people were killed, and valuable items were stolen from their house.
The police found him in a different state where he was living with a fake name.
He is now in jail, and the police are checking if he was involved in other crimes too.
Chikka Hanuma, a member of the Dandupalya gang, was arrested after 29 years for a 1997 double murder and dacoity case.
He was found in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, living under a false identity.
The original crime involved the murder of Louis D’Mello (80) and Ranjith Vegas (19) in Mangaluru.
He was charged under Sections 460, 396, and 400 of the IPC.
Police believe he may be involved in around 13 other serious criminal cases across Karnataka.
- Who
- Chikka Hanuma, a member of the Dandupalya gang
- What
- Arrested after 29 years for a double murder and dacoity case
- When
- Arrested recently, original crime on October 11, 1997
- Where
- Arrested in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh; original crime in Urwa, Mangaluru
- Why
- To evade arrest, he lived under a false identity and frequently changed locations
- Accused Name
- Chikka Hanuma alias Chikka Hanumanthappa alias K. Krishnappa alias Krishna
- Age
- 55
- Arrest Location
- Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh
- Original Crime Date
- October 11, 1997
- Crime Location
- Anwar Mahal, Urwa, Mangaluru
- Victims
- Louis D’Mello (80) and Ranjith Vegas (19)
- Charges
- Sections 460, 396, and 400 of the IPC
- Current Status
- Remanded to judicial custody