Karnataka - Belgaum   

Swamiji absconding after man's death in Bailhongal

Staff Correspondent

BELGAUM: A self-styled swamiji identified as Shivappa Basalingappa Bhanvi alias Shivappa Ajja is absconding after allegedly killing a "possessed" man at Hannikeri village in Nesargi police station limits in Bailhongal taluk on Monday.

According to sources and Nesagri police, Shivaji Kundargi, 30, of Markatti village was mentally unsound for the past one year.

The victim's wife, who heard about the swamiji, took Shivaji to him at Hannikeri on Monday.

Pronouncing that Shivaji has been possessed by a ghost, the swamiji started banging Shivaji's head against a wall.

Sources said the swamiji also started ramming his head into Shivaji's chest and stomach. As a result, Shivaji started bleeding and fell unconscious.

The villagers rushed him to a nearby health centre where the doctor pronounced him dead.

Body cremated

Instead of informing police, the villagers reportedly convinced his wife to cremate the body immediately.

It is said that the body was cremated on Monday night..

However, the police learnt about the incident and have launched a manhunt for the swamiji, who is absconding. The Nesargi police have registered a case of murder against the swamiji.

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Swamiji absconding after man's death in Bailhongal

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