Youngster murdered in Koppal over inter-religious relationship; accused surrenders
A youngster was murdered in Koppal city over an interfaith relationship, allegedly by a rival suitor. The accused surrendered after the brutal attack. Police suspect premeditation and are probing possible negligence, as the killer had posted threats online before the incident.
Koppal: In an incident that unfolded in front of a religious place of worship in Ward 3 of Koppal city on Sunday night, a youngster was murdered allegedly due to an inter-religious relationship. The victim’s father has filed a complaint against four individuals.
The prime accused, after allegedly committing the murder, directly went to the city police station and surrendered. A complaint has been registered against him and four others under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Section 3(2)(V) of the SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.
The primary motive behind the murder appears to be the victim’s love for a young woman from another religion. For the past two years, the youngster had been in a relationship with an underage girl from the Gauri Angala area and had reportedly even run away from home with her. Despite four or five community panchayats being held to resolve the matter, the relationship continued.
It is alleged that this led to the brutal murder with a machete. Initial observations suggest that it was a pre-planned murder. The youngster, who was coming from Bahaddur Bandi Road, was ambushed, and his neck was brutally slashed with a machete. Such a gruesome murder has reportedly never occurred in Koppal city, leading to widespread concern across the community. The murdered youth is a relative of a political leader from Ojanahalli Gram Panchayat in Koppal taluk.
According to sources, the accused was previously in love with the same minor girl who later started a relationship with the victim.
Knowing this, the accused had reportedly confronted the youngster multiple times. The situation escalated, culminating in the fatal attack on Sunday night at 8 PM, when the murder occurred as the victim was riding his bike near the religious place of worship.
Bellary IGP Varthika Katiyar visited Koppal and conducted city rounds. Speaking to Telangana Today, SP Ram L Arasiddi said that it was a triangle love case and that they were probing whether others were involved in the murder, as two machetes were found at the spot. The accused confessed that he brought two machetes, he said.
Doubts have also been raised regarding potential police negligence in preventing the murder. It is reported that before the murder on Sunday, the accused had brandished a machete, recorded a video, and posted it as his Instagram status, effectively giving a “build-up” to the impending crime.
He committed the murder at 7:30 PM and then surrendered to the police. The overall situation in Koppal remains tense following the murder. Police maintained tight security.
