In a swift operation, Belagavi City police have arrested four individuals within a day in connection with the attempted murder of Basavanth Kadolkar, the personal driver of youth leader Mrinal Hebbalkar. Mrinal is the son of Karnataka's Women and Child Welfare Minister, Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Swift Police Action and Arrests
The police crackdown brought a sense of temporary relief as the investigation into the motive behind the violent attack continues. The accused have been identified as Shivayya Pujari, Nitesh Badiger, Monappa Patil, and Sampath Kadolkar. All are residents of Belgundi and Gojaga villages within the Belagavi taluk.
Following their arrest, they were presented before a local court, which remanded them to police custody for further questioning. City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase credited the coordinated efforts of multiple police teams for the quick arrests. He also noted that one of the accused, Nitesh Badiger, who was injured during the incident, is receiving treatment at BIMS Hospital under police guard.
The arrests were made by a joint team led by Khade Bazar ACP Shekharappa, rural ACP Gangadhar, and Camp police station inspector Anand. The case is officially registered at the Camp police station.
IPS Officer's Timely Intervention
Adding a crucial detail to the timeline of events, IPS officer Ravindra Gagadi claimed on social media that his timely action may have prevented a fatal outcome. Officer Gagadi stated that while returning home for lunch, he witnessed a group assaulting a youth. He immediately stopped his vehicle and rushed towards the scene, causing the assailants to flee. He then personally helped shift the injured man, later identified as Basavanth Kadolkar, to the hospital.
Illegal Mining Angle Under Scanner
The injured driver has directly alleged that the attack is connected to illegal laterite mining operations in the Belagavi region. This allegation gains weight in light of recent events. Just three days prior to the attack, the mines and geology department conducted raids on illegal laterite mining sites in Badas (Inal) village, which falls under the Belagavi Rural assembly constituency.
Media reports suggest that mining activity allegedly resumed shortly after the raid, purportedly due to political influence. Sources point to an ongoing rivalry between a local contractor, Dastgir Walikar, and a businessman from Gadhinglaj in Maharashtra. Both are allegedly involved in illegal laterite mining at different locations in the area.
A significant development that may have triggered the attack is a recent police raid on a mining site at Tudaye village. This raid was conducted based on information reportedly provided by the victim, Basavanth Kadolkar himself.
However, Commissioner Borase has refrained from commenting on the alleged involvement of a mining mafia, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing and all aspects are being thoroughly examined.
