A 42-year-old Dalit man was reportedly murdered with an axe in Bidar district, following a dispute regarding goats damaging crops. In response to the incident, police have arrested four suspects and have applied the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding agricultural disputes in the region.
Fatal Assault in Jirgyal Village Linked to Dispute Over Crops
A man was killed in Jirgyal village, Bhalki taluk, between noon and 1 PM on Thursday, according to Bidar Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti. The victim suffered a severe head injury after being attacked with an axe by Pradeep Ladhe, one of four suspects arrested later that evening.
The altercation reportedly stemmed from an earlier dispute over the victim allowing his goats to graze in Ladhe’s field, causing damage to his crops. The victim had been reprimanded by Ladhe, leading to a heated argument.
Additionally, police noted that the confrontation was connected to a prior issue involving Ladhe’s wife, who was allegedly frightened by the victim’s loud behavior, attributed to his habitual drinking. By the time the victim’s parents arrived at the scene, he was already deceased.
The victim’s mother has filed a complaint that includes caste-related allegations, which are currently under investigation by the police.
