Police arrest man for murdering teacher over financial dispute

The Kalaburagi District Police have solved the murder case of a schoolteacher whose half-burnt body was found near Kalmud village in Kamalapur taluk with the arrest of a 27-year-old man in connection with the crime.

The accused has been identified as Amar Mallappa Kudalli, a resident of Bhunyar village in Chincholi taluk.

The victim, Jyoti Kapale, a resident of Anand Nagar in Kalaburagi, was working as a teacher at a government higher primary school in Wanjarkhed village of Bhalki taluk in Bidar district.

The charred body was discovered on the outskirts of Kalmud village on Saturday morning, raising questions about the motive and circumstances of the crime.

According to police sources, the murder was linked to a financial dispute.

Amar had borrowed around ₹14 lakh from Jyoti to start a milk business near Tavaragera Cross. When she demanded repayment, tensions escalated between them.

Investigations revealed that the accused and the victim knew each other.

Amar had earlier operated a milk parlour near Anand Nagar and regularly delivered milk to Jyoti’s house, which led to their acquaintance.

On Friday, Amar reportedly picked up Jyoti in his car. The two travelled to several places, including a temple, before heading towards Kamalapur.

During the journey, Jyoti is said to have asked him to drop her at Basavakalyan as she had to attend school the next morning.

However, the accused took another route on the pretext of visiting a temple near Kalmud village.

At around 1 a.m., he stopped the car about a kilometre away from Kalmud village.

The police said that he threw colour into her eyes, attacked her with a machete and killed her.

In an attempt to destroy evidence, he later poured petrol on the body and set it on fire before fleeing.

A police team under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu and Additional Superintendent of Police Mahesh Meghannavar carried out the investigation and apprehended the accused. Further investigation is under way.