Shopkeeper dies after being kicked in chest by 4 youths, over minor dispute in Rattihalli, 3 arrested

HAVERI: A shopkeeper died after being assaulted and kicked in the chest by four men during a brawl over a trivial reason at Rattihalli town in, Haveri district on Wednesday evening. The deceased has been identified as 55-year-old Shivajirao Bhairoji. Three of the four accused were arrested on Thursday.

An argument over money broke out with four Muslim men who had come to the shop to buy eggs. A youth named Wasim Mullah claimed he had given Rs 500. Since the shop owner’s son Bharat said only Rs 100 was given, a fight ensued between the two. When Shivajirao went to break up the fight, it is alleged that the four men assaulted him.

Shivajirao died on the spot after being kicked in the chest during the assault. A complaint was registered by Shivajirao’s son Bharat at the Rattihalli police station, against Wasim Mulla, Sarfaraz Mulla, Sadiq Mulla and Shiraz Mulla.

According to Haveri SP Yashoda Vantagodi, who visited the spot, “The fight happened in front of the shop over a trivial reason. One person died and Another person was injured. The deceased is Shivajappa Bairoji (55) while the injured Bharat Bairoji (30) has been admitted to Rattihalli taluk hospital for treatment. Wasim started a fight when Bharat told him not to park the bike in front of the shop and to park it on the other side. It is alleged that Shivajappa was assaulted and murdered when he went to stop the fight”.

After post-mortem examination, Shivajirao’s mortal remains were brought to his house at Janata Plot in Rattihalli amid tight police security. Family members vented anger upon seeing Shivajirao’s body and expressed outrage against the government. “We work hard for every rupee, they do illegal business. The accused in the murder must be arrested. We won’t conduct the last rites until then”, they insisted. Following police assurance that the accused are being arrested, family members decided to conduct Shivajirao’s last rites.

Bharat said, “Four Muslim youths trampled my father and he died on the spot before my own eyes. They had come to buy eggs and picked a fight saying they gave Rs 500 after giving only Rs 100. They trampled and killed my father when he came to stop the fight. The accused had not tolerated our shop’s business from the beginning. They had been causing us trouble”.

SP Yashoda Vantagodi said, “In this case, a complaint was filed against four people and three accused, Wasim, Sarfaraz and Sadiq, have already been arrested. Another accused Siraj has escaped, but we will arrest him too. Deceased Shivajirao ran a petty shop. Around 7 pm on Wednesday, Wasim came to Shivaji Rao’s shop to buy five eggs and gave Rs 100. Later, Wasim argued that he gave Rs 500. During this, a fight and pushing occurred. Shivaji Rao fell down after being pushed and became unconscious on the spot. Later, when he admitted to the hospital, doctors declared him dead”.

“After post-mortem, we handed over the body. The accused used to sit daily near deceased Shivajirao’s petty shop. Yesterday, they went to buy eggs and picked a fight. All four accused are own brothers. The accused’s father and deceased Shivaji Rao knew each other. The death occurred in the scuffle like this, this is not communal”, she said.

“Information is that there are no visible external injuries on deceased Shivaji Rao’s body. The exact cause of death will be known after the post-mortem report comes. Shivaji Rao was weak and had a heart problem. Security will continue near Rattihalli. Yesterday, I called and spoke to both sides. We spoke to the Anjuman Committee and Hindu organization members. Everyone has said they will cooperate”, the SP said.