Jamkhandi Rural police have cracked a chilling murder case, initially mistaken for a road accident. Basavaraj Ramappa Khangond, a local journalist from Alagur village in Jamkhandi taluk, died on October 8 when his scooter was hit from behind near Madarkhandi. Initially registered as a hit-and-run, the investigation took a turn after police found inconsistencies in the accident scene.
Technical evidence and local inquiries along the Terdal–Madarkandi–Jamkhandi route raised suspicions. The vehicle involved was traced to an Ashok Leyland Dost Plus mini goods vehicle owned by Ashfaq Suleman Mulla of Rabakavi. Ashfaq and his associates, Nandeshwar Mahadev Pawadi and Mahesh Shishail Pawadi from Hosur, were arrested.
During interrogation, Ashfaq confessed to intentionally ramming Basavaraj’s scooter. The motive stemmed from a long-standing blackmail and extortion scheme. Basavaraj allegedly demanded monthly payments from Ashfaq, threatening to expose his illegal trade in PDS rice meant for government beneficiaries. Despite payments via PhonePe, the harassment escalated.
On October 8, following a meeting mediated by Raghavendra Teli, Ashfaq planned the attack. His associates tracked Basavaraj’s movement, and Ashfaq deliberately drove on the wrong side of the road to crash into the journalist’s scooter near Madarkandi, killing him instantly.
The confession, backed by CCTV footage, digital evidence, witness statements, and forensic analysis, led police to reclassify the case as murder. The trio faces charges, while police continue to search for a fourth suspect, Yusuf.
