Karnataka ex-Army man, daughter hacked to death over property dispute

A 67-year-old former Army serviceman, Rudrappa Kundargi, and his 26-year-old daughter Shashikala were brutally murdered inside a gram panchayat office in Karnataka's Belagavi district, according to police. The double murder was allegedly carried out over a property dispute, with Rudrappa's brothers and a nephew attacking them with an axe and sickle while they were trying to settle documentation and verification issues related to the division of a property.

The property, belonging to Rudrappa's late father, was ordered to be divided equally among the three sons by a court. The relatives reportedly arrived at the panchayat office after learning Rudrappa was present there. Shashikala intervened in the scuffle and was also attacked. The driver who accompanied Rudrappa sustained serious injuries and is currently hospitalized.

Two accused have been detained, and efforts are underway to recover the weapons used in the attack. The immediate dispute appears to have stemmed from Rudrappa's claim to his father's ancestral property, as he had previously sold an agricultural property registered in his name but continued to seek his share in his father's property.

The brothers questioned Rudrappa's actions, believing the sold land was part of their common property. The police are also investigating potential financial differences among the brothers, as Rudrappa and his children were reportedly better off financially compared to his brothers, who primarily depended on agriculture. A murder case has been registered at Kittur police station, and further investigation is underway.