Karnataka: Three killed in two separate honour killings within 5 days

In two separate incidents of honour killings, three people, including a newly married couple, were done to death in Bagalkot district within a span of five days.    

In Hungund taluk of Bagalkote district, a Hescom lineman Sangamesh of the Kumbara caste and Kuruba woman Hanumavva had married in a temple three months ago against the wishes of Hanumavva's family. They had set up a household in the nearby Aaminagadu.  

The couple were tricked into attending the Karthikotsava celebrations at Hanumavva's father Hanumantha Soorara's house and killed in the fields there.  

Superintendent of Police C B Rishyanth said Sangamesh was killed with lethal weapons by the father Hanumantha, his brother Gangappa and son Yellappa (16), son-in-law Yellappa Nagarala and friend Channabasavaiah in the sugarcane fields.    

Later they carried the body to the Aminagada-Aihole road and killed Hanumavva there police added.

The alleged killers made the deaths appear like a vehicular accident by damaging the couple's bike, SP Rishyanth said.  

The accused were arrested in Sangli, Maharashtra and brought back into Karnataka.  

Killed with stones

In a separate honour killing incident in Jamakandi taluk in Bagalkot district, Sadashiva Kesaragoppa (20) of the Madiga community and a girl from the Valmiki community had fallen in love.  

Bagalkot SP Rishyanth said that six months ago, a village panchayat was called and the young man Sadashiva was barred from meeting his love, which is a rule he defied.    

On December 7, Sadashiva was tricked into coming to Hulyala village and murdered in the government school grounds by dropping a heavy stone on his head, police said.    

Police have arrested the girl's brothers- Siddappa Halagali, Dundappa Halgali, relatives- Hanumantha Kalolli, Manjuntha Panditha.  

Victim Sadashiva's brother has told the police that the accused and his deceased brother were friends and worked as stonecutters at the same quarry.