Renowned astrologer and Vastu expert Chandrashekhar Guruji was stabbed to death in the lobby of a hotel in Karnataka's Hubballi Tuesday. The killers, though, were arrested within a few hours of the murder, the police said. The assailants have been identified as Mahanthesh and Manjunath, but the motive of the murder was yet to be ascertained. The police have informed that Mahanthesh had previously worked with the deceased astrologer. Chandrashekhar was visiting Hubballi to meet his relatives after the death of a child in the family. Going by the CCTV footage of the incident, two people came to meet Chandrashekhar at the hotel lobby around 12 noon. One of the visitors was apparently touching the feet of the astrologer in a gesture to seek his blessings, while the other person was standing next to him. Within seconds, however, the two started stabbing Chandrashekhar. Eyewitnesses tried to rescue the astrologer, but the killers threatened them with knives and continued to stab Chandrashekhar. The assailants then fled from the spot. Chandrashekar, who was from Bagalkot district, started his career as a contractor and later got a job in Mumbai and settled there. He also pursued Vastu business and participated in astrology programmes on regional news channels. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said all measures would be taken to ensure stringent punishment for the killers of Chandrashekar. "The killing of Chandrashekar Guruji is a heinous and unfortunate act," he said. A police officer said the accused were arrested from Ramdurga in Belagavi district while they were trying to flee.
