Kalaburagi: In a major breakthrough, police have arrested five accused nearly nine years after the murder of Birappa Pujari, a resident of Kadani village in Kalaburagi taluk.
Kalaburagi City Police Commissioner Dr Sharanappa SD confirmed that the arrested individuals are Mahesh Pandu Rathod, Suresh Shankar Rathod, Siddu Mallanna, Shankar Bichagatti, and the victim’s wife Shantabai. All accused are currently in judicial custody, and police plan to seek further custody for detailed investigation.
Birappa Pujari died in 2016, and his death was initially believed to be natural. However, investigators revealed that Shantabai, allegedly involved in an illicit relationship, conspired with the other accused to murder her husband, who she considered an obstacle.
The case was reopened after a conversation audio involving the accused surfaced recently. Following this, Birappa’s brother, Bhimashankar Pujari, filed a complaint at the Farhatabad police station, suspecting foul play.
Acting on the new evidence, police reinvestigated the case and arrested the accused. Commissioner Sharanappa SD praised the efforts of the police team for cracking the long-pending case. Further investigation is ongoing.
