Murder of retired Principal in Belthangady: Investigations continue as Police search for clues

PTI, Aug 22, 2024, 10:41 AM IST

Belthangady: The investigation into the murder of SP Balakrishna Badekkillaya, an 83-year-old retired school principal residing in the SPB Compound of Bylalu village, has yet to yield any significant leads regarding the suspects.

The murder is believed to have occurred between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM on August 20. The victim was alone at home at the time, and after the crime was committed, no valuables were reported stolen from the house. Police investigations revealed that the gold ring on the deceased’s hand was untouched. It is suspected that the murder was committed with a sharp weapon, but the exact motive remains unclear and is still under investigation. At first glance, it appears to be a crime driven by personal animosity. Police teams from Dharmasthala and Belthangady have arrived at the scene to conduct an in-depth investigation.

A murder case has been registered at the Dharmasthala Police Station following a complaint filed by Suresh Bhat, the younger son of the deceased, on the night of August 20.

Multidimensional Investigation Underway

Under the leadership of Bantwal Sub-Division DSP Vijay Prasad, the investigation is being conducted from various angles by a team led by Belthangady Circle Inspector Nagesh Kadri, along with teams from Dharmasthala and other units, as instructed by Dakshina Kannada SP Yathish N.

Western Range IGP Visits

Following the incident, there was public suspicion directed towards the younger son of the deceased. However, it was clarified that he had left for Puttur on work-related matters after finishing household chores, and discovered the incident upon his return in the evening. SP Yathish N. has visited the scene for an inspection. On the afternoon of August 21, Western Range IGP Amit Singh also visited the site, gathered information from the family and the police, and held discussions with the investigative team.