A shocking murder has been reported from Kallolli village in Mudalagi Taluk of Belagavi district, where a man was allegedly murdered after a WhatsApp status and photographs dispute between the two sides was allegedly exchanged, in which one man was killed and the others were arrested. The couple alleged to have been behind the murder and that two people, on the other hand, surrendered before the police after the incident, said the police.
The deceased has been identified as Ramesh Hanamant Bantroli, a resident of Gujanatti village near Kallolli. According to the information available, Ramesh had been acquainted with Banappa, the husband of the woman who is said to be involved in the case, for years. So too was Ramesh, who was cultivating Banappa's agricultural land on a partnership basis.
But police and initial reports indicate that the relationship between Ramesh and Banappa’s wife Lakshmi had been getting closer over the past two years. In their time together, the two had taken a few photographs together.
The photographs became a major source of conflict later. According to the allegations, after the relationship between Ramesh and Lakshmi deteriorated, Ramesh allegedly used some of their photographs to publicly reveal their association. About a week before the murder, he reportedly uploaded one of the photographs as his WhatsApp status.
The status was allegedly seen by many people in Kallolli and Gujanatti villages. This apparently upset Banappa and Lakshmi, who felt that their reputation had been damaged by the public display of the photograph.
According to this initial account, Lakshmi contacted Ramesh and asked him to come to the area. Ramesh arrived at the agricultural land where he had been working. He was attacked with a sickle there, it was said.
The assault left Ramesh with severe injuries, and he died at the scene. His body was found lying in the middle of an agricultural field later on. The police were notified as soon as a woman told them about the incident, and the Ghataprabha Police Station rushed to the scene and did an initial inspection.
In a surprising development, Banappa and Lakshmi went to Ghataprabha Police Station and surrendered after the alleged murder. Police launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the killing.
A case has been registered at Ghataprabha Police Station. The exact charges and other details will be determined as the investigation progresses. Police will investigate the alleged relationship, the WhatsApp status, photographs, communications between the two and the events leading up to the murder.
According to sources, Ramesh's post-mortem examination was performed in Gokak, and after that his body was handed over to his family members for last rites.
The incident has also left two families in a difficult position. Banappa and Lakshmi have two children and are now left without both parents after the couple was arrested or surrendered in the case. Ramesh also had a wife and two children, so his family is left with a sudden loss.
The case has shocked Kallolli and nearby Gujanatti residents, in particular, since a dispute that was based on personal relationships and a social media status allegedly erupted into a fatal clash.
Though the initial allegations indicate that the WhatsApp photo and the dispute surrounding the relationship may have played a role in the murder, the exact sequence of events and motive will have to be established through the police investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
The incident is another stark reminder of how personal disputes that emerge on social media can turn into serious fights. Now that the accused couple are in police custody, the investigation will be carried out and the cause of Ramesh’s death will be established, investigators will be able to establish.
