Husband plots wife's murder, Four arrested for staged accident

A 42-year-old woman’s death initially believed to be a road accident has been cracked as a premeditated murder, with her husband allegedly paying ₹40 lakh to have her killed over a maintenance dispute, Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya said.

Addressing a press conference in the city, the SP identified the deceased as Lalita Hattarki (42) of Somapur. The prime accused is her husband Udaykumar Hattarki of Narendra village. His associates — Nagappa Madivallappa Padekar of Garag village, Abhishek Varagannavar of Nichchanaki, and Nagaraj Madivallappa Uppin of Dodawad — have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Another accused is absconding, and efforts are on to trace him.

Police have seized a black Mahindra Thar SUV allegedly used in the crime, four mobile phones and ₹20,000 in cash.

Not an Accident, But Murder

Lalita had died on February 26 near Amminabhavi on the Savadatti Road in what was initially treated as a road accident. However, further scrutiny of footage captured on a bus dashcam revealed that the collision appeared intentional.

Following the revelation, police formed five special teams to investigate the case. CCTV footage and technical evidence helped trace the black SUV without a number plate and identify the four accused.

Murder Plot After Lok Adalat Order

According to police, Lalita and Udaykumar were married in 2000. Due to marital discord, Lalita had been living separately at her parental home, and divorce proceedings were pending in court.

Recently, a Lok Adalat had directed Udaykumar to provide one-and-a-half acres of land to Lalita as maintenance. Police said he was allegedly unwilling to comply with the order and hatched a conspiracy to eliminate her.

On February 26, he reportedly called Lalita to Savadatti Road on the pretext of a discussion. As per the plan, his associates rammed the number-plate-less SUV into her, making it appear as an accident.

Further investigation is underway, police said.