Belagavi: In a shocking incident, a pan shop owner was beaten to death following a dispute over unpaid cigarettes in Godakenatti village of Belagavi taluk, police said.
The deceased has been identified as Ellappa Durgappa Naik, who was running a pan shop in the village. According to police, the incident occurred late at night when four youths allegedly took two cigarettes and a bottle of water from the shop and refused to pay.
When Ellappa questioned them about the payment, an argument broke out. The youths allegedly abused him verbally and launched a brutal assault, repeatedly beating him. Ellappa sustained serious internal injuries and collapsed.
Local residents rushed to the spot and attempted to intervene. The injured shop owner was immediately shifted to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries while being taken for treatment, police said.
Based on eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigation, the Kakati Police registered a case of murder and arrested four accused — Prajwal Patil, Nikhil Chougale, Vivek Chougale and Shridhar Patil. All the accused are said to be local youths, and police suspect that alcohol intoxication may have played a role in the violence.
Police officials stated that the investigation is ongoing and further legal action will be taken based on forensic and medical reports.
The incident has left the victim’s family devastated, as Ellappa was the sole breadwinner of the household.
Legal Note: This report is based on police statements and eyewitness inputs. The matter is under investigation, and guilt will be determined by a court of law.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಸಿಗರೇಟ್ ಹಣ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ಪಾನ್ ಶಾಪ್ ಮಾಲಿಕನ ಹತ್ಯೆ: ಬೆಳಗಾವಿ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಚ್ಚಿಬೀಳಿಸುವ ಘಟನೆ
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