A double murder has been reported in Karnataka’s Haveri district, in which a mother and her son were killed in a violent attack following a bitter property dispute between the two families, one of which was in Kusanur village of Hangal taluk, which has sent shockwaves through the local community.
Premakka Badiger (55) and her son Avinash Badiger (38) were identified as the victims, police said, and they were attacked with stones and other weapons and died. Police are investigating based on evidence and are trying to identify the sequence of events that led to their deaths.
The dispute, both local and initial police investigations suggest, is about property and land. There had been some property disputes for years, and at least one suspect was tried and convicted of the attack.
Tirakayya Hosamath and Basavaraj Hosamath were identified as the accused, police said on Wednesday (25 October). The two men are alleged to have attacked the victims with stones and other weapons, the police said. The allegations are now under police investigation and have not yet been tested in court.
The case goes back years. The accused purchased a house and land from the victims, but the property was not transferred to their names through the proper legal process.
There was a legal dispute over property ownership. We hear that Premakka Badiger went to court to regain her rights over the house and land. After some legal action was taken, she was able to occupy the property according to the court order.
The court’s decision has reignited tensions between the parties involved, investigators believe. Police suspect anger over the property dispute may have motivated the attack. Papers on the disputed property are being examined, as well as the history of the case, to determine if the dispute directly resulted in the murders.
According to what we know so far, the accused approached Premakka and her son in the village. Both victims were beaten and suffered severe injuries in the encounter. The attack was so brutal that both died from their injuries.
The killing has shocked Kusanur village. Villagers gathered near the scene when they learned of the killings, and police jumped in to secure the area and avoid a flare-up of violence.
Police officers from Adur Police Station arrived at the scene soon after the crime was discovered. Senior police officials also visited the scene to conduct an inspection and oversee the first stages of the investigation. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination to determine the actual cause of death and to collect evidence for forensic examination.
Police have begun recording statements from family members, neighbours and other witnesses who may have information about the dispute and the events leading up to the attack. Investigators are also looking into whether there were prior complaints, threats or altercations concerning the property issue.
The case illustrates how long-standing property disputes can become violent when conflicts go unresolved. The authorities are trying to find out everything about the incident, including what happened, the role of each accused, and the circumstances under which the attack occurred.
A case has been registered under Adur Police Station jurisdiction, and further investigation is in progress. The investigation will lead to other legal action based on the evidence gathered during the course of the investigation.
Hence, as we go through the investigation, residents of the area are demanding proper action against those responsible. The deaths of Premakka Badiger and her son Avinash bring home to us once again the terrible consequences of property-based disputes when they become violent.
