In a dramatic turn in a decades-old murder case, Karnataka Police arrested 75-year-old Hanumanthappa for the 2002 murder of his third wife, Renukamma, ending a 23-year manhunt.
Hanumanthappa, who had been absconding since committing the crime, was arrested on Thursday by the Gangavati Police in Koppal district. He had recently returned to his native village Haladhal (also spelled Aldhal) in Manvi taluk, Raichur district, where he was finally tracked down.
According to the police, Hanumanthappa murdered Renukamma in 2002, packed her body in a gunny bag, and transported it via bus to Kampli in Ballari district, roughly 50–70 km from Koppal. Kampli is located near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi.
The case, originally registered at Gangavati Town Police Station, had gone cold as Hanumanthappa vanished without a trace. Gangavati, the largest city in Koppal, is known as the “Rice Bowl of Karnataka.”
Haladhal village, where he was found, lies 40–50 km southwest of Raichur city and 100–120 km east of Koppal, placing it within a network of jurisdictions that complicated the investigation for years.
The arrest marks a major breakthrough in a multi-district investigation involving Koppal (murder site), Ballari (body disposal), and Raichur (arrest site). Police efforts to resolve this long-standing case demonstrate a renewed commitment to justice, even after decades.
