A 62-year-old retired teacher was allegedly killed by his younger daughter, her partner and another man following a dispute over property and opposition to their relationship in Vijayapura district, Karnataka. The deceased, identified as Siddappa Anjutagi, was found dead by the roadside, prompting police to initially suspect that unidentified assailants were responsible. Two suspects have been arrested, while another remains on the run, according to police.

The investigation reportedly gained a breakthrough after Siddappa’s elder daughter, Nikhita, filed a complaint. Police subsequently uncovered the alleged involvement of his younger daughter, Priyanka. Siddappa had retired about two years ago and had received retirement benefits. He also owned property in his village, and police said disagreements over the property had resulted in repeated arguments between him and Priyanka.

Police said Priyanka’s husband, Suresh Masali, had died during the COVID-19 period, after which she developed a relationship with Santosh Sindhe, an auto driver in Vijayapura. Investigators said Siddappa opposed the relationship and had also refused to give Priyanka a share of his property. Police suspect that the combination of the property dispute and his opposition to her relationship contributed to tensions between the father and daughter.

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According to the police investigation, Priyanka allegedly had another argument with Siddappa over the property on August 15. The dispute reportedly escalated, following which she allegedly called Santosh to the house. Police said Santosh later arrived with his friend Gururaj Biradar. The two men allegedly strangled Siddappa before assaulting him with a large stone used for breaking roads, causing his death.

After the alleged attack, the suspects reportedly transported Siddappa’s body and abandoned it by the roadside before fleeing the area. The discovery of the body initially led investigators to suspect that unknown attackers had targeted the retired teacher. As the investigation progressed, however, police examined the circumstances surrounding the death and questioned those connected to Siddappa, eventually identifying his younger daughter and her alleged associates as suspects.

Priyanka and Santosh have been arrested in connection with the murder, while police are conducting searches to locate Gururaj Biradar. Investigators suspect that the alleged property dispute and Siddappa’s objection to Priyanka’s relationship were the primary motives behind the killing. Police have continued questioning the arrested suspects and examining the circumstances surrounding the incident as the investigation into the case remains underway.

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