HUBBALLI, July 23: The Hubballi-Dharwad Police have arrested an auto driver in connection with the murder case of Vaishnodevi temple priest Devendrappa Mahadevappa Vanahalli.
The arrested has been identified as Santosh Tippanna Bhojgar, 44, a resident of G Adda in the Kamaripet police station limits. The police arrested him near Channamma Circle on Monday night.
Speaking to reporters, Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar said that the accused killed Devendrappa on suspicion that the priest had performed black magic or religious rituals against Bhojgar’s family. Following which, his family faced many disturbing incidents, including deaths of his brothers and father.
The accused believed these incidents were consequences of the priest’s rituals who performed it on the request of Bhojgar’s relatives.
Unsuccessful Murder Attempt 2 Years Ago:
The commissioner further said that Santosh Bhojgar had attempted to kill the priest in 2022 by stabbing, but the weak knife broke and Devendrappa survived the attack. However, the Vidyanagar police failed to identify or apprehend the accused at that time. Since then, the accused was tracing the priest. But, On Sunday, Santosh stabbed him and fled the scene.
