90-Year-Old Woman Brutally Murdered in Karnataka Over Land Dispute
Police in Bagalkot district have uncovered a shocking murder case. A 90-year-old woman's death, first believed to be from natural causes, is now confirmed as a gruesome homicide. The crime stems from a bitter dispute over ancestral property.
Victim Identified as Chandravva Mallappa Nilajagi
The deceased woman is Chandravva Mallappa Nilajagi. She lived in Jagadal village. Chandravva worked as a vegetable seller throughout her life. Despite her modest means, she was known for her charitable acts.
In 2022, she donated a silver door frame worth Rs 12 lakh to the Allamaprabhu temple in Terdal. This act of devotion reportedly alarmed her brothers. They feared she might also donate her share of the family land to charity.
Long-Running Court Battle Over 11 Acres
Chandravva was one of six siblings. She had approached the court seeking her rightful share of the ancestral property. A court order from 2016 stated she was entitled to 11 acres of land.
However, the land was never properly surveyed or demarcated. This led to continuous delays and disputes. Last year, on November 27, the Banahatti court issued a fresh order. It instructed all parties to conduct a land survey immediately.
The taluk office scheduled this survey for January 13, 2024.
The Fateful Day of the Land Survey
Since Chandravva had no children, she was residing at a temple in a neighboring village. On the morning of January 13, the temple priest, Kadayya, took her to the ancestral property for the survey.
At the site, her brothers' children called her for tea. They then led her to a nearby canal. In a premeditated act, they pushed the elderly woman into the water.
As Chandravva cried out for help, the accused pretended to rescue her. Priest Kadayya rushed her to the community health centre in Rabkavi-Banahatti. She received initial treatment and even filed an assault case at the local police station.
Murder During Hospital Transfer
Doctors, considering her advanced age, referred Chandravva to a better hospital in Gokak. During this transfer, her relatives committed the final act. They strangled the 90-year-old woman to death.
After her death, her kin were in an unusual hurry to perform the last rites. This suspicious behavior alerted villagers, who promptly informed the police.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal stated that upon interrogation, the family members confessed to the murder. Police have arrested five relatives of the victim.
The arrested individuals are:
- Parappa Nilajagi
- Siddappa Nilajagi
- Shankrappa Nilajagi
- Sadashiv Nilajagi
- Shobha Nilajagi
All five face murder charges. The investigation is ongoing as police examine the full extent of the conspiracy over the ancestral land.
This tragic case highlights the extreme lengths to which family disputes over property can escalate. It has sent shockwaves through the local community in Bagalkot district.
