The Yamakanmardi police have successfully cracked a high-profile murder case involving hired killers, arresting six individuals, including two women. Belagavi District SP Bhimashankar Guled announced the arrests during a press conference.
The case revolves around the murder of Mahantesh Bhimappa Sutgannavar (38) of Haldkeri village, Hukkeri taluk, who died under suspicious circumstances in April 2024. His brother, Kallappa Bhimappa Sutgannavar, filed a police complaint alleging foul play, leading to a detailed investigation.
Two police squads, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Shruti, uncovered the chilling details. Mahantesh’s wife, Mala, confessed to orchestrating her husband’s murder. According to her statement, she had grown tired of ongoing family disputes and allegedly paid ₹70,000 to Supari Killers, Akash Basalingappa Gokavi to carry out the killing.
Further interrogation of Akash revealed a disturbing connection to two additional murders:
Nagappa Vitthal Mareppgol (34): In 2022, Nagappa was killed after his wife, Yallava, and her lover, Siddappa Malgi, conspired with Akash. Nagappa, who had been harassing the duo upon discovering their affair, was lured on a pilgrimage, strangled, and his death staged as a suicide on railway tracks near Parknatti.
Vitthal Malgi: In 2023, Akash and his associates, Appanna Mushappa Nayak and Ramesh Lagmapa Malgi, murdered Vitthal, who had heavily mortgaged his farmland due to alcohol addiction. They intoxicated him, strangled him at Kundargi mountain, and staged his death as a road accident before cremating his body.
The arrested individuals include:

Mala, Mahantesh’s wife.
Akash Basalingappa Gokavi, the prime accused.
Appanna Mushappa Nayak.
Ramesh Lagmapa Malgi.
Siddappa Malgi.
Yallava, Nagappa’s wife.
The accused faces multiple charges, including conspiracy, murder, and destruction of evidence. Police Chief Guled stated that strict action would be taken to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
The case has highlighted the grim reality of contract killings in the region, driven by personal disputes and monetary motives.