Property clash: Engineer shot dead by brother

Belagavi: A mechanical engineer was shot dead by his younger brother following a verbal clash that ensued over a property dispute at Raibag, late on Wednesday. Soon after shooting Subhash Patrot (45), his brother, Ramachandra Patrot (42), fled the scene. Police are on the lookout for him. The incident occurred when Subhash and Ramachandra were staying at their farm house at Uparwadi, near Raibag. Subhash, an engineer, had been employed with private companies in Pune and Bengaluru before quitting his job and moving to his hometown about three months ago. He had decided to settle down in Raibag and pursue agriculture for a living.

He had been demanding his share of the property and fields owned by his father, ever since his return. On several occasions over the past few weeks, police sources said, he had entered into quarrels with family members regarding his share.

Sources revealed that senior members of his family had recently advised Subhash against these clashes, assuring him that the property and fields would be divided equally among the two brothers once the sugarcane crop had been sold. However, Ramachandra remained firm. Enraged by his brother's stand, Ramachandra shot him in the head, leaving him dead on the spot.

Ramachandra fled the scene of the crime soon after killing Subhash. The Raibag police, who registered a case of murder against Ramachandra are searching for him.