A 32-year-old man was killed in an alleged act of revenge by two theft accused along the Shahapura-Yadagiri highway near Doranahalli village, police said.

Shahapura police station inspector SM Patil said the victim, identified as Tippanna Rathod, was attacked by Kumar (36) and Lakshmana Chavan (38), both residents of Japa Nayaka Tanda, on Saturday evening.

He said: “The accused suspected that the deceased had informed the police about their theft activities.”

“Around 6 pm on Saturday, while Rathod was returning home on his motorcycle, the accused attacked him with sharp weapons. Rathod, who started carrying an ax on his bike due to earlier threats, died on the spot,” he said.

He also said that Rathod and the suspects each faced several cases related to goat theft.

The officer said the complaint against the two accused was lodged by Rathod’s wife Manjula.

She stated that the accused had recently been released from prison, where they were held on charges of theft.

“The accused threatened Rathod on their release, warning him that he would face consequences. The two men allegedly lured Rathod, intoxicated him and attacked him with sharp weapons, leading to his death,” Manjula said in her complaint.

The Shahapura police have registered a case under section 103 of the NBS and have initiated an investigation.

“We have launched a search for the suspects, who fled after the incident. The investigation has been extended even to Hyderabad, gathering critical information about the whereabouts of the suspects,” he added.