Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)
Belagavi, Feb 26: In an incident which has the potential to send shivers down the spines of ordinary mortals, a man tightened a rope around a neck of his former lover and then burnt her alive in a public place. The incident occurred on Wednesday February 25 near Nippani town in the district.
The woman who lost her life in this incident has been identified as Rajashree Sunil Khot (35) from Kagal town in Maharashtra. Her former lover, Babasahed Laxman Hadikar (24) from Pattanakudi village, and Ramadas Dhondiram Khot (26) from Vadatti village in Karaveer taluk of Kolhapur district have been accused of killing her in this fashion.
A noose made of rope was tightened around the neck of Rajashree before being torched. Rajashree, who suffered 40 percent burns, died on the spot. The police team led by district superintendent of police, S Ravikanthe Gowda, succeeded in arresting the accused from Kagal town within a few hours of the incident.
The body of the lady was taken to the local government Gandhi Hospital for postmortem.
It is gathered that Rajashree Khot was working in a hotel run by Babasaheb Hadikar in the past in Kagal town. It is said that the two fell for each other and developed illicit relationship. In course of time, differences arose between the two, after which the two agreed never to meet each other again. Thereafter, Hadikar closed his hotel in Kagal and started another one in Nippani town.
It is said that Rajashree Khot had called a person named Ramndas Khot, a relative of Babasheb, to meet her at Nippani on Wednesday. Both came to Nippani together and reached a now-defunct commercial complex of the municipality at Jyotiba Phule Market. Learning about Rajashree's visit there, Babasahed also arrived there. Heated arguments ensured between the three, after which, Babasaheb, in a fit of rage, tightened a noose around Rajashree's neck with help from Ramdas. Then she was torched. Even as Rajashree let out wails of agony, the two fled from there.
A person named Mumtaz Darveshi, who was grazing his cows a little distance away, rushed to Rajashree's rescue and tried to extinguish the flames. When he did not succeed, he shouted for help, but no one came forward. He then called a municipal councillor named Vilas Gadivaddar, after which fire brigade personnel came to the spot. By then, the lady had breathed her last.