Two arrested as man kills brother for property, tries to pass it off as accident

Vijayanagara Police have cracked a murder case in which a man killed his 26-year-old elder brother with the help of a friend for family property and made an attempt to portray the crime as a motorcycle accident.

The deceased was identified as Marulasiddesh, a resident of Hagari Shiranhalli.

The accused men, Marulasiddesh’s 24-year-old younger brother Patrigouda and the latter’s 29-year-old friend Uttangi Narappa of Kadabagere, have been arrested.

According to the police, the crime stemmed from a long-standing dispute over family property.

In a complaint filed in Arsikere Police Station by the victim’s mother Shantamma, an anganwadi worker, has stated that her elder son Marulasiddesh was managing the family’s responsibilities, farmland and tractor.

However, Patrigouda frequently quarrelled with his mother and brother, demanding a share in the property.

On March 13 afternoon, following another argument over the issue, Patrigouda reportedly left the house saying that he would go to Bengaluru if his share was not given.

Later, Marulasiddesh left home on his motorcycle with Narappa to search for his younger brother.

At 1 a.m., a relative informed Shantamma over phone that Marulasiddesh died in a motorcycle accident near Hosalli Cross close to Hiremegalagere and that the body was shifted to the Government Hospital in Arsikere.

However, when Shantamma examined her son’s body at the hospital, she noticed multiple injuries that raised suspicion. She also found that Patrigouda and Narappa, who were said to have been travelling on the same motorcycle, had not suffered any injuries.

Suspecting foul play, she filed a complaint with the police.

A police team then launched an investigation and uncovered the murder plot, leading to the arrest of the two accused men.

Superintendent of Police S. Jahnavi, Deputy Superintendent of Police Santosh Chavan and Circle Inspector Mahantesh Sajjan visited the spot and reviewed the investigation.