Man stabs sister-in-law to death over property issue; Lawyer arrested for Rs 15 lakh hit job on pregnant wife

BELAGAVI: A man killed his sister-in-law by stabbing her at least 20 times over a property dispute at Mangalwarpet in the city under Tilakawadi police station limits on Wednesday. The woman was rushed to BIMS Hospital, but did not survive.

The victim was identified as Geetha Gawli (45), wife of Ranjith Gawli. Ranjit had died a few years ago and his elder brother Ganesh Gawli had a dispute with Geetha over a 40×12 plot which belonged to Ranjith.

The Ganesh accused is absconding.

On Wednesday morning, Ganesh stabbed Geetha about 20 times, leaving her badly injured. She was rushed to BIMS Hospital, but did not survive. Ganesh fled the house after committing the murder and the police are on the lookout for him. Ganesh is a history-sheeter at Tilakawadi police station and is allegedly involved in several illegal activities.

Belagavi Police Commissioner Bhushan Gulabrao Borase said a special team has been formed to track down the absconding accused.

In another case, a lawyer was arrested along with two others for killing his pregnant wife and trying to make it seem like a road accident. The accused is Pradeep Kiranagi while the victim Chaitali Kiranagi was six months pregnant. The two others arrested are Saddam Inamdar of Sangli in Maharashtra and Mangasulita Rajendra of Athani taluk.

Police Superintendent Bhimashankar Guled said Pradeep and Chaitali had fallen in love and got married two years ago. But Pradeep also had an affair with his college senior, who whom he had lied that he was unmarried, and hence paid Rs 15 lakh for a hit job on his wife.

On the night of September 7, Pradeep and the others struck Chaitali on the head and dumped her body on the road near B K Ugar village in Kagwad taluk. Pradeep then called the Kagwad police informing them about the ‘accident’ and said he was shifting her to a hospital in Kagwad.

When the police reached there and did not find Chaitali, they called back Pradeep who then said that he had taken her to a hospital in Miraj, Maharashtra. The police then visited his house and found his car parked there, giving rise to suspicion.

The police then headed to Miraj and upon seeing Chaitali’s body, became suspicious of murder. They then took Pradeep into custody and upon questioning, he admitted to the murder. The police believe five people were involved in the murder and are on the lookout for two others.