In a significant development in the murder case of Swati Byadgi, the police have arrested three individuals—Nayaz, Vinay, and Durgachari—in connection with the crime. The trio allegedly conspired to murder Swati after her relationship with Nayaz ended.
Swati, a 22-year-old nurse from Masuru village in Haveri district, had been in a two-year relationship with Nayaz. The relationship ended when Nayaz’s family arranged his marriage to another woman from his community. Swati reportedly threatened to expose their relationship if Nayaz proceeded with the marriage.
Fearing repercussions from Swati’s threats, Nayaz, along with his associates Vinay and Durgachari, allegedly planned her murder. On March 3, they lured Swati to Swarna Park in Ranebennur under the pretext of a conversation. From there, they drove her to an abandoned school building in Rattihalli, where they strangled her with a saffron-coloured towel. After confirming her death, they placed her body in the trunk of a car and disposed of it in the Tungabhadra river.
The case has attracted widespread attention, with political leaders and activists alleging a connection to the controversial issue of “love jihad.” Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai condemned the murder, suggesting that it may be part of a larger pattern of interfaith relationships leading to violence. Bommai criticized the state government’s handling of such incidents, stating that the lack of fear among criminals has led to a rise in cases of young women being murdered under the guise of love.
Bommai’s remarks echoed the sentiments of Hindu activists, who have launched a signature campaign urging the authorities to take stringent action against Nayaz. The BJP has strongly condemned the crime, and former Minister B.C. Patil visited Swati’s family in Masur village to express condolences and gather details. Patil also called for strict punishment for all those involved in the crime.
Swati’s relationship with Nayaz, which began during a traditional bull-taming event in Haveri, was known to her family. However, when they were informed that Nayaz had broken up with Swati and planned to marry someone from his own community, the family was initially unaware of the tragic turn the situation would take.
Following her disappearance, Swati’s family lodged a missing persons report with the Hirekerur police. It was only after the body was found and identified that the connection to Nayaz was established.
The discovery of Swati’s body in the river was initially handled as a case of an unidentified death, with the body being buried by local authorities, who had assumed it to be that of an orphan. However, a post-mortem revealed that Swati had been murdered, and her identity was later confirmed.
The case has sparked a heated debate across Karnataka, with critics of the government accusing it of not doing enough to prevent such incidents. In a post on social media, Bommai stated, “It is quite shocking that there have been rising incidents where young women are deceived and murdered in the name of love. The safety of women has deteriorated since the Congress government came to power.”
As the investigation continues, the authorities are under increasing pressure to bring justice to Swati’s family and ensure that those responsible for her death face the full extent of the law. Swati’s mother, who has been left devastated by her daughter’s tragic death, is awaiting justice, with hopes that the legal proceedings will bring closure to the family.
