Property dispute turns deadly: former gram panchayat member shot dead in Vijayapura, 6 arrested
Vijayapura, : In a shocking revelation, police have cracked the brutal murder of former Aliyabad gram panchayat member Raju Khari (48), exposing a simmering property dispute as the motive behind the chilling crime that had sent shockwaves across the district.
Raju Khari was murdered on April 14 in a well-planned, film-style attack near an industrial area close to Aliyabad. According to investigators, the accused had meticulously plotted the assault. While Khari was travelling towards Vijayapura from his farmhouse, his Thar jeep was rammed by a tipper truck, causing significant damage to the front portion of the vehicle.
Taking advantage of the crash, the assailants swiftly approached the vehicle, smashed open the door using a large stone, and opened fire at close range. Police said the attackers fired six rounds targeting Khari’s head and chest using country-made pistols, killing him on the spot. In a further act of brutality, the accused allegedly struck his head with a stone before fleeing the scene, ensuring there was no chance of survival.
The gruesome nature of the murder had created widespread panic and outrage in the region. Taking the case seriously, Superintendent of Police Lakshman Nimbargi constituted two special teams to track down the culprits. After an intensive investigation, police have arrested six accused in connection with the case.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Abashya Kodlekar, Abashya Mane, Vageesh Pol, Khanduba Tande, Jalinder Hakke, and Murugu Hakke, all hailing from nearby villages. During the operation, police recovered two country-made pistols, seven mobile phones, two motorcycles, the tipper used in the crime, and a car linked to the accused.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the murder stemmed from a long-standing dispute over ancestral property. Khari was reportedly involved in matters related to family property, which had triggered anger among certain individuals, particularly the prime accused. Driven by resentment and rivalry, the group allegedly conspired to eliminate him.
Police officials stated that the conspiracy was premeditated and executed with precision, indicating the involvement of multiple individuals working in coordination. The use of firearms and the method of attack point to a deliberate attempt to ensure the victim’s death.
All six accused have been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody. A case has been registered at the Vijayapura Rural Police Station, and further investigation is underway to determine if more individuals were involved or if there are additional angles to the crime.
The incident has once again highlighted how property disputes continue to escalate into violent crimes, raising concerns over law and order as well as the need for timely resolution of such conflicts.
