Gadag, 23 October

A 62-year-old farmer was allegedly killed by his close friend over the unauthorised sale of 45 quintals of chickpeas worth Rs 2.80 lakh in Surakod village of Nargund taluk, Gadag district.

The deceased has been identified as Dyamappa Gojanur, 62, a resident of Surakod. The accused, Sharanappa Nargund, from the same village, has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, police said on Thursday.

According to police, both men had been friends for several years.

Dyamappa had stored around 45 quintals of chickpea in a godown registered in the name of his friend Sharanappa, planning to sell it later when prices would rise. Police investigation revealed that Sharanappa, without informing Dyamappa, allegedly sold the entire stock unauthorized and misappropriated the proceeds of approximately Rs 2.80 lakh for personal use. Fear of this deed being discovered led Sharanappa to plan to eliminate his friend said police.

Dyamappa’s family approached Nargund Police Station on 10 October and filed a missing person complaint after he had been missing for two days. When Sharanappa was questioned, he allegedly confessed to the murder, police said.

As per his statement, on 8 October, he allegedly attacked Dyamappa with an axe in a secluded spot, striking him on the head and neck, causing his death on the spot.

To destroy evidence, he deposited the body near a pipe of a sub-canal in Somapur village, police said.

A case of murder and destruction of evidence has been registered at Nargund Police Station.