Prisoner dies after being stabbed in Kodagu jail

MADIKERI: A youth, who was stabbed in jail two days ago, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday night without responding to treatment. The victim Hemanth (26) was a resident of T Shettigeri village in Ponnampet taluk and a land dispute was the reason for the murder.

The person who stabbed Hemant in jail a few days ago was his relative, Rajesh, the son of the Hemanth’s paternal grandfather’s sister. Three months ago, a dispute over land led to a case where a house was set on fire, and there was also an attempt to murder using a jeep. In connection with this, Rajesh’s brother Ganesh had earlier served time in jail and was released.

Two years ago, in connection with the murder of his mother-in-law, Ganesh’s brother Rajesh (36) was imprisoned. He is now the accused in this murder.

A few days ago, his brother Ganesh again raised a dispute over land, entered Hemanth’s property, and filed a complaint claiming that Hemanth, his father, mother, and wife had assaulted him. A case was registered under attempt to murder, and the four were sent to jail.

The deceased’s family alleges that Rajesh plotted to eliminate Hemant and his family in jail. Through his brother, ex-serviceman Ganesh, he got a complaint filed, attempted murder in jail, and stabbed Hemanth eight times, intentionally killing him.

It is said that because the police did not try to resolve the land dispute properly, and when members of the same family filed complaints against each other, no additional steps were taken to prevent any untoward incident, and without verifying the truth of the incident, a case was directly registered. As a result, a 26-year-old youth who should have lived his life has now died.

For the last two years, there have been ongoing fights and attempts to murder between members of the same family over land, and it is said that this incident occurred because no solution was found. Currently, the deceased Hemanth’s father, mother, and uncle are still in jail. He died on Tuesday night, and his body is now in the Mysuru mortuary. Family members said the body will be brought to T Shettigeri and the final rites will be performed.