Vijayapura
Police have cracked a sensational murder case and arrested six accused in connection with the killing of real estate businessman and former Gram Panchayat member Raju Bapu Khare (48), which took place on Tuesday at Aliyabad on the outskirts of Vijayapura city.
The incident occurred while Khare was travelling in his Thar vehicle when the accused allegedly rammed a tipper into his car. They then reportedly opened fire and, when the vehicle doors did not open, smashed the windows with stones and brutally killed him inside the car. The daylight attack had triggered panic across the district.
Superintendent of Police Lakshman Nimbargi said the murder appears to have stemmed from a property dispute. Khare was involved in real estate business as well as grape farming.
Police formed two special investigation teams under probationary IPS officer Ishita Gupta and Vijayapura Rural DySP T.S. Sulpi to trace the accused. Acting on credible inputs, the teams arrested six individuals: Abushya Sopan Kodlekar, Abashya Balu Mane, Vageesh Shankar Pol, Jalinder alias Popat Hakke, Khanduba alias Ajit Tambe, and Muragu alias Maragu Hakke. They were tracked to Khilarahatti in Babaleshwar taluk and Kyatanakeri in Indi taluk.
Authorities recovered two country-made pistols, seven mobile phones, two motorcycles, a tipper vehicle, and the car used in the crime. Police said the swift arrests highlight effective investigation, though the use of illegal firearms has raised concerns about arms circulation in the region, prompting calls for stricter enforcement.
