Bengaluru techie throws chilly powder, kills manager with dumbbell after argument over switching off office lights

An argument over switching off office lights late at night in West Bengaluru on Saturday resulted in a shocking murder. Police said a 41-year-old manager working in a digital vault and photo editing firm was beaten to death with a dumbbell by his colleague near MC Layout in Govindarajnagar around 1 am. The suspect later surrendered at the police station.

Victim and defendant worked together

The victim, Bheemesh Babu from Chitradurga, was working as a manager in the firm. The accused, 24-year-old Somala Vamshi, is a coach from Andhra Pradesh and lives in Nayandahalli. He was staying up late trying to edit videos when the fight happened.
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The conflict escalated within minutes

Police said Babu, who did not like bright lights, asked Vamshi to turn off the lights. It sparked a heated debate. Officers said Vamshi then threw chili powder at Babu, picked up an iron dumbbell and hit him multiple times on his head, face and chest.

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Babu collapsed on the spot. Vamshi panicked and hurried to inform her colleague Gowri Prasad before returning to the office. An ambulance was called but paramedics pronounced Babu dead.

Surrender and police action

Following the incident, Vamshi surrendered at Govindarajnagar police station. The police registered a case of murder and sent the accused to judicial custody. Confirming the trigger, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) S Girish said:
“The accused got angry when Babu asked him to turn off the lights.”

He added that further investigation was ongoing.

This unusual and disturbing incident shows how a simple workplace disagreement escalated into a deadly act of violence. Police are currently examining the sequence of events and questioning other colleagues for further details.