Four held for attempt to murder businessman by blast in car in Bagalkot

Police have apprehended four individuals in connection with an alleged attempt to murder businessman Hanumant Athani in Bagalkot district, Karnataka. The targeted businessman narrowly escaped a blast in his car on July 25, 2022, as he was not present at the scene. The four arrested persons include Shivanand Parasappa Jalli, Revanappa Ningappa Jalli, Mahadev Beerappa Sangapur, and Mallikarjun Murageppa Bhadrapanavar, all from Tiganibidari near Babaleshwar in Vijayapura district.

A fifth accused, Gajanan Sangapur, who allegedly facilitated the acquisition of explosive materials, remains at large. According to police, the main accused, Shivanand Jalli, is embroiled in a land and financial dispute with Athani. Jalli had borrowed ₹40 lakhs from Athani a few years ago but failed to repay, subsequently taking possession of four acres of land from Athani.

Athani subsequently demanded repayment and demanded that Jalli and his family vacate the land and house. Jalli allegedly planned the murder to avoid repayment and retain possession of the land. The accused individuals had acquired gelatin blasting material and practiced the technique before striking Hippargi. They used a 100 feet wire to trigger the blast and sent threatening messages to Athani and his brother using a stolen SIM and secondhand phone. The investigation continues to trace the remaining accused.