Buried under 45 loads of soil: How search for missing mason led Karnataka Police to his killer brother

A small dispute in Kamalanayakanahalli Tanda, a Lambani (Banjara) settlement near Sira in Tumakuru, led to the discovery of human remains buried beneath an unfinished house and ultimately to the conviction of a man for murdering his younger brother. The case, initially just a rumor about a missing mason, took a sinister turn when police learned of tensions within the family.

Ravichandranaika, 40, had been missing for nearly two months, and his signature was needed for the partition of his late father's property. Investigators discovered that his wife, Savithribai, 33, was having an affair with his elder brother, Raja Naik, 47. On April 2, 2022, Ravichandranaika returned home drunk after arguing with his wife, who was involved with his brother.

The argument escalated, and Raja attacked Ravichandranaika, causing him to fall to the ground. Savithribai held him down while Raja stepped on his chest and continued to assault him. The couple's two children were sent outside while they disposed of the body. Around 40 to 45 loads of soil were used to conceal Ravichandranaika's body in a pit dug for construction at Raja's under-construction house.

The police discovered the remains after the construction work began, leading to the arrest of Raja Naik.