Charred body identified; victim’s live-in partner and his associate arrested

The District Police on Monday identified the charred body of a woman that was discovered in an isolated place on the outskirts of Ladlapur village in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district on June 1 and resolved the case with the arrest of the victim’s live-in partner and his associate.

The deceased was identified as 42-year-old Devi Bai Lalsingh Rathod, a native of Ganiyar Tanda in Sindagi taluk of Vijayapura district.

The police have arrested the accused Somalu Pawar and his associate Haamu Lalu Rathod, both from Ganiyar Tanda.

Devi Bai is survived by two daughters. The elder one is married.

Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu, addressing presspersons here on Monday, said that Devi Bai and Somalu were in a live-in relationship.

Differences cropped up between them in selecting a groom for Devi Bai’s younger daughter. Devi Bai’s decision to arrange marriage for her daughter against Somalu’s wishes led to the rift between them and that probably led to her murder.

Based on his confession, Somalu strangled Devi Bai using a veil. Later, Somalu and Haamu shifted the body into a car and drove it across Vijayapura, Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts for 11 hours in search of a river to dump it.

Finally, they reached an isolated place in Ladlapur village in Chittapur taluk where they burnt the body to destroy evidence and later buried it.

The accused also confessed to having purchased a pick-axe and a fuel can to carry petrol.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Mahesh Meghannanavar, Deputy Superintendent of Police Shankar Gowda Patil and Circle Inspector of Police Chandrashekar Tigadi were present.

Published - June 09, 2025 06:59 pm IST