Dalit Woman Murdered In Yellapur; Accused Found Dead In Forest

Yellapur: A 30-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly murdered by her former classmate from another community near her residence in Yellapur of Uttara Kannada district, while the accused was found dead in a forest on Sunday morning, police said. Hindu organisations called for Yellapur bundh on Sunday. The incident has triggered tension in the town and drawn political attention, prompting authorities to beef up security.

According to the FIR, Ranjitha Banasode had been living with her family for the past four to five years after separating from her husband. Married about 12 years ago to a man from Solapur, she was divorced and is survived by her 10-year-old son.

Ranjitha was working as an assistant cook at a government school in Rampur and would leave home around 9 am, returning by 1.30 pm or 2 pm.

The accused, Rafiq Imam Sab Yellur (30), a resident of Kalamma Nagar, was Ranjitha’s former classmate. He allegedly maintained regular contact with her over the phone and later began harassing her, expressing romantic interest and pressuring her to marry him and meet him. Ranjitha had shared this with her family, following which they advised her to stop communicating with him.

Few months ago the victim’s sister had reprimanded Rafiq, after which he stopped visiting their house. In recent days, Ranjitha had told the family that she had completely stopped talking to him.

“On January 3, around 2 pm, while Ranjitha was returning home from work, the accused allegedly intercepted her near her house in Ashraya Colony and attacked her with a sharp weapon, targeting her throat. She sustained grievous injuries and succumbed while undergoing treatment at KIMS Hospital in Hubballi,” Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police Deepan MN said.

Following the murder, the accused went absconding, prompting police to form special teams and launch a combing operation.

“During the search in the forest, the body of the accused was found hanging,” the SP told Deccan Chronicle.

The murder has since taken on a political colour, with the BJP and Hindu organisations staging protests against the State government. A bandh was called in Yellapur. They also demanded that the government provide Rs 50 lakh compensation to the victim’s family.

Meanwhile, local MLA Shivaram Hebbar said Rs 8.20 lakh had been provided to the family as compensation from the government. Taking a strong stand against political mobilisation over the incident, Hebbar said using a death for political gain did not bring credit to any society.

BJP State president BY Vijayendra, who visited Yellapur and met Ranjitha’s family, demanded that the State government announce Rs 50 lakh compensation and allot two acres of land to the family.

Addressing reporters, Vijayendra called for a thorough investigation into the murder and alleged that such incidents were recurring due to the “inaction” of the State government and the Home Department. He claimed that in similar cases, the Chief Minister and the Home Minister issue statements even before police begin investigations, dismissing them as not related to “love jihad”.

Referring to the Neha Hiremath murder in Hubballi two years ago, Vijayendra said the Chief Minister and the Home Minister must take the matter seriously and ensure a fair and impartial probe. He alleged that whenever the BJP raises concerns, it is branded as communal, while incidents of “love jihad” continue to recur in the State. He further claimed that misinformation was being spread and cases were being suppressed, contributing to the tragic incident in Yellapur.

Vijayendra also announced that the BJP would provide Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the victim’s family and take responsibility for the education of Ranjitha’s 10-year-old son, who is studying in Class 5. He said Hariprakash Konemane of the Vishwadarshan Educational Institution has undertaken responsibility for the child’s education.