Man Arrested for Fatal Stabbing of Priest in Karnataka

A man was arrested for allegedly stabbing a priest to death in Hubballi-Dharwad, Karnataka. The suspect, identified as Santosh Bhojgar, believed the priest's rituals caused his family's misfortunes. The police solved the case and arrested the suspect near his house on Monday night.

A man has been detained in connection with the alleged fatal stabbing of a priest in the Hubballi-Dharwad City of Karnataka, according to police reports released on Tuesday. The suspect, identified as Santosh Tippanna Bhojgar (44), was arrested Monday night, solving the murder case that had sent shockwaves through the local community.

Speaking to ANI, Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar disclosed that the victim, Devendrappa Mahadevappa Vanahalli (63), was brutally attacked on Sunday evening. The accused, a resident of G Adda within the Kamaripet police station limits, had harbored a grudge against Vanahalli, whom he believed had caused tragic events through religious rituals performed on his family.

The police revealed that Bhojgar's suspicion stemmed from the deaths of his three brothers and father, coupled with his mother’s paralysis. Convinced these were the results of the priest's rituals conducted at his relatives' requests, Bhojgar had previously attempted to murder the priest in 2022. Despite heavy surveillance by the Vidyanagar police, the accused managed to evade capture until now.

On the fateful Sunday, after confirming the priest was alone, Bhojgar attacked him again and fled the scene. He did not leave the city and was arrested near his residence after a tip-off. Commissioner Kumar confirmed Bhojgar's confession and stated that while a motive has been provided, further investigations will continue to explore all aspects of the case. More details are awaited.