Kalaburagi, 19 Sept

The decomposed body of a 21-year-old woman, Bhagyashree Sulahalli, was found on the premises of a cement factory in the Kalaburagi on Friday, officials said. Police suspect that the murder in Malakhed village of Sedam taluk was an act of revenge by factory workers and the management.

They believe it was linked to the death of Vinod, a worker at the Ultratech Cement factory in the village, police said.

A few weeks ago, Vinod had died by suicide after losing his job. His family held Channaveerappa Sulahalli, the president of the workers’ union responsible.

Despite intervention of the village panchayat, the family’s anger did not subside, and they planned the murder.

When the accused, Manjunath, failed to locate Channaveerappa, he redirected their revenge toward Bhagyashree.

Police also suspect the involvement of his father, uncle and brother in the murder.

Bhagyashree went missing on 11 September. The initial cause of death was suspected to be strangulation. However, preliminary investigation revealed that she was struck on the head with an iron rod.