A recent investigation revealed that the death of Virupakshappa K Harlapur, a chief deputy pharmacist at the district hospital, was not an accident but a murder. Initially registered as a hit-and-run by the Belagavi North Traffic police, the case took a turn after further probing.
Harlapur from Dharwad, was struck by a speeding car near the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences on May 30. The vehicle, traveling from Kittur Rani Channamma Circle to Kolhapur Cross, hit Harlapur while he was walking on the main road. Severely injured, Harlapur succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The driver fled, prompting the police to register the incident as a hit-and-run initially.
However, CCTV footage led investigators to the vehicle in a city garage, revealing evidence of foul play. This development prompted Belagavi North traffic police inspector Pralhad Channagiri to transfer the case to the APMC police on June 4.
The APMC police, acting on these leads, arrested six suspects: Basavaraj Yallappa Bhagwati, 50, the prime accused from Dharwad, and Prakash Rathod, 41; Sachin Chandrakant Patil, 40; Ravi Basu Kumbargi, 28; Mahesh Sidaram Sunkad, 24; and Ramu Lagama Vantamuri, 28, all from Kangrali Budruk village in Belagavi taluk. An illicit relationship is believed to be the motive.
Police revealed that this was not the first attempt on Harlapur’s life. The same group had previously tried to kill him in a similar incident on June 15, 2023, but Harlapur only suffered minor injuries. He was killed just a day before his retirement, according to APMC police inspector Khaja Hussain.
