Belagavi Court Delivers Life Sentence for Wife’s Brutal Murder

In a significant ruling from Belagavi district, a 56-year-old man has been handed a life sentence after being found guilty of his wife’s murder. Annappa Appa Saba Khichadi, a resident of Mugalakhoda village, was convicted by the Fifth Additional District and Sessions Court for the brutal killing of his 50-year-old wife, Kallavva (also known as Kalavathi). The court subsequently sentenced him to life imprisonment. The prosecution’s case detailed how Khichadi’s actions were fueled by deeply rooted suspicions that his wife was engaging in conversations with other men and involved in extramarital affairs, ultimately leading to her death. Presiding over the case, Judge H.S. Manjunath delivered the verdict on Thursday, sentencing Khichadi to rigorous life imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹25,000. Evidence presented revealed a pattern of abuse, with the offender subjecting his wife to both physical beatings and severe mental harassment over a two-year period, all stemming from his unfounded suspicions. Tragically, these suspicions culminated in a violent assault on March 7, 2019, within a hut in Harugeri. Kallavva succumbed to her injuries four days later, on March 11, 2019, while receiving treatment at Miraj Hospital in Maharashtra. The meticulous investigation led by Circle Inspector of Police N. Mahesh resulted in a comprehensive charge sheet being filed against the accused in court. Public prosecutor I.M. Mathapathy effectively represented the State’s case throughout the proceedings.