Kamalakar Bhat: Illicit relationship row leads to murder; Guruji among seven held

Kamalakar Bhat: A violent clash over an alleged illicit relationship between a woman and a self-styled godman ended in the murder of a man in Avaraguppa village of Siddapur taluk in Uttara Kannada district. The incident, which has shocked the local community, left one person dead and two others seriously injured.

According to police sources, Suchitra, a resident of the village, was reportedly in an extramarital relationship with Kamalakar Bhat, popularly known as “Guruji,” who hails from Hemmanabail near Siddapur but was currently residing in Shivamogga.

The relationship allegedly came to light when Suchitra’s daughter discovered the matter and informed her father Mahesh Naik. Upset over the development, Mahesh Naik approached the local police station and lodged a complaint against Kamalakar Bhat and his wife.

This reportedly angered Suchitra and her family members, leading to a heated confrontation. On Sunday evening, Suchitra, along with her father Loknath and an associate, allegedly attacked Mahesh Naik and his relatives. During the assault, Mahesh Naik, Vasanth Naik and Kumar sustained grievous injuries.

While they were being rushed to hospital, Vasanth Naik succumbed to his injuries on the way. The other two injured persons are currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital and are said to be in critical condition.

Police immediately launched an investigation and traced the accused persons who were attempting to flee after the incident. A total of seven people, including the so-called Guruji Kamalakar Bhat, have been taken into custody. Of them, three were apprehended in Shivamogga and four in Siddapur.

The arrested accused have been identified as Suchitra (A1), her father Loknath Choudappa Naik (A2), Kamalakar Bhat (A4) and three others who are yet to be formally identified. A case of murder and assault has been registered at Siddapur Police Station, and further investigation is underway.

Police officials said that the exact sequence of events and the role of each accused will be ascertained after detailed interrogation. The incident has once again highlighted how personal disputes can spiral into deadly violence in rural areas.

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