Charred body in car sparks murder suspicion in Dharwad
Dharwad : A gruesome discovery near a railway track in Ramapura village has triggered shock across the district, after a completely charred body was found inside a burnt car. Police suspect that the deceased could be Raju Bolashetty (53), son of former Bailhongal MLA Baburao Bolashetty.
The car, believed to belong to Raju Bolashetty, was found abandoned near the railway track in a deserted forest-like stretch. The body inside the vehicle was burnt beyond recognition, making immediate identification impossible.
According to initial information, Raju Bolashetty had been missing since Monday, raising strong suspicions that he may have been murdered and his body set on fire to destroy evidence. Investigators suspect that the crime may have been committed elsewhere, with the body later brought to the isolated spot and the car torched using petrol.
“A body has been found inside a completely burnt car. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of deliberate burning. We are probing whether it is a murder,” a senior police officer said.Personnel from the Dharwad Rural Police rushed to the scene and have begun a detailed investigation. Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya also visited the spot to oversee the probe.
Forensic experts, including fingerprint teams, have been deployed to gather evidence. “The body is charred beyond recognition. Identification will only be confirmed after forensic examination and laboratory reports,” another officer said.
Meanwhile, a close associate of the missing man, Sridhar, confirmed that the vehicle found at the scene belongs to Raju Bolashetty. “The car is his. He has been missing since yesterday, which raises serious concerns,” he said.
Despite being the son of a former MLA, Raju Bolashetty was not active in politics and was known as a progressive farmer. Locals described him as a friendly and helpful person with no known enmity.Police are now examining all possible angles, including personal disputes and financial issues, as they intensify efforts to crack the case behind the suspected murder.
