Belagavi: In a gruesome incident in Boodihal village of Raybag taluk, a 22-year-old youth named Maruti was brutally murdered over a mere ₹5,000 loan dispute. The victim, known for composing and singing folk songs on his YouTube channel, was first attacked with sharp weapons and then run over by a car by a gang of assailants.
According to police sources, the main accused, Eerappa, had lent ₹50,000 to Maruti as an advance for sugarcane-cutting work. Though Maruti had reportedly returned ₹45,000, Eerappa allegedly kept pressuring him for the remaining ₹5,000. Maruti, who had recently quit manual work to focus on his music, was unable to repay the balance, which reportedly led to the brutal assault.
After hacking Maruti with weapons, the gang ran a car over his body in a horrifying act of brutality. The car overturned during the escape, injuring some of the accused, who are now being treated at Gokak Government Hospital.
Raybag police have arrested 11 people in connection with the murder and are investigating further. The incident has left the village in shock and the victim’s family devastated.
