Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal
Bhatkal, Nov 12: One person has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a woman here on Sunday November 11.
The victime, Kalpana Ashok Mahale (45), was a resident of Bhatkal Jali gram panchayat. She had been missing since November 4.
On November 11, her body was found stripped and battered with a heavy stone.
According to sources, the police suspected two persons to be involved in the crime. One among them has been taken into custody and the search for the other person is on.
The culprit under police custody has been identified as Sadashiv of Mundalli. It is learnt that he was previously involved in the burning of a shop in June 2009. It is also learnt that he escaped from the police hands by throwing chilli powder into the eyes of the police officials. The case is still in the court and now again he is suspected to be the prime accused in the murder case.
Police sources said that she was killed on the same day when she went missing. It is suspected that she was raped before she being murdered.
Kalpana had left for market from her in-law's house located in Asaarkiri Bhatkal on Sunday at around 10.30 am and did not return home. It is learnt that she was wearing gold ornaments worth Rs 2 lac.
Kalpana’s husband Ashok Mahahle registered a complaint in this regard on Friday noon with the town police station after he failed to find her at their relatives' houses. The police immediately began a search.
Initial investigations revealed that she hired an auto when she left home. On enquiring with the auto driver, it was found that she had been to Konar via Sabpatti route. After a prolonged search, the police found her body in the forest area in Konar gram panchayat limits. It is learnt that the murderers fled with the gold jewellery which she was wearing.
It is learnt Kalpana who had studied up to class 7 was married to Ashok Mahale. Ashok, a native of Kumta is presently working as a clerk at Bhatkal Anjuman Engineering College.
Bhatkal CPI said that the investigation is in its primary stage and the police are not in a state to reveal anything so further. The police is further investigating the case and will try to solve it at the earliest, he said.
Under the guidance of Bhatkal ASP Sudheer Kumar Reddy, the CPI Beliyappa and rural PSI Naveen Jogi are investigating the case.